The Malta Chamber and GBC Host Information Session to Support Competitive and Resilient Growth for Gozitan Businesses

The Malta Chamber, in collaboration with the Gozo Business Chamber, organised an information session to help Gozitan entrepreneurs, managers, and employers understand how sustainability can be a key driver of growth and efficiency.

In his opening address, William Spiteri Bailey, highlighted that ‘sustainability is not a slogan. It is a framework for competitiveness, resilience and long-term prosperity’. He also shared 7 key reflections:

1. Sustainability must be practical. It must translate into lower operational risk, stronger margins, better governance, and improved access to finance — not additional bureaucracy.
2. Civil society and business organisations must be trusted partners in delivery. We are closest to our members and understand their day-to-day realities. When government collaborates meaningfully with representative bodies, implementation improves and results are measurable.
3. Gozo faces structural realities that Malta itself already struggles with. Malta operates within the constraints of insularity. Gozo faces the challenge of double insularity. Distance increases costs. It limits economies of scale. It restricts labour mobility and access to specialised services.
4. Compliance burdens weigh more heavily on small and medium-sized enterprises. In larger jurisdictions, companies may have dedicated compliance teams. In Gozo, many businesses operate with lean structures. The same regulatory requirement thus incurs a disproportionately higher cost.
5. Access to talent continues to be a key challenge. As highlighted in the latest EY Malta Attractiveness Survey 2025, skills shortages are now seen as the biggest threat to Malta’s competitiveness. In Gozo, this issue is even more pronounced. We need to enhance vocational pathways, digital skills, and sector-specific training that reflect Gozitan realities.
6. Connectivity — both physical and digital — is essential. Sustainable growth in Gozo relies on effective transport links, dependable logistics, and top-tier digital infrastructure. Without these, the island’s ability to progress up the value chain is limited.
7. Productivity must remain central to the discussion. Sustainable growth isn’t about doing the same things, but about doing them better. This involves digitalisation, process optimisation, improved planning, and coordinated enforcement — areas we have strongly highlighted in our Pre-Budget 2026 proposals under Envision 2050.

Michael Galea, Gozo Business Chamber President, emphasised that the green transition must not be viewed purely as a compliance obligation. It must remain practical, phased and business oriented.  “If approached intelligently, it becomes a driver of competitiveness, efficiency, and long-term resilience for our enterprises.  Sustainability and competitiveness must move forward together,” he said.

Ivan Falzon, CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA), noted that sustainability is fundamentally about adaptation and resilience, qualities that are particularly relevant given Gozo’s distinct vulnerabilities, including its insularity, limited infrastructure capacity, and heightened exposure to supply chain disruption and resource constraints. “It is essential that businesses are aware of the obligations and opportunities ahead, and that adaptation is approached in a manageable, proportionate manner. This includes considerations around sustainability in supply chains, procurement decisions, and internal resource management.” he stated.

“The Agency schemes will align with the new legislation wherein eligibility will now be in terms of energy consumption rather than enterprise size or Nomenclature of Economic Activities (NACE Code). Notwithstanding, the Agency will continue to provide aid to promote energy and water conservation principles without disrupting the economic activity”, said Mark Anthony Callus, Professional Officer at the Energy and Water Agency

“The recast Energy Efficiency Directive mandates a shift in energy audit obligation from one depending on enterprise size towards one dependent on energy consumption. New legislation now mandates all enterprises exceeding a total 10 of Terajoules (TJ) to undertake an energy audit. Enterprises whose consumption exceeds 85 TJ will also be required to implement an energy management system.” highlighted Matthias Agius, Professional Executive at the Energy and Water Agency.

Alison Mizzi, Director (Advisory Service) at EMCS delivered a presentation on ‘Sustainable benefits and opportunities: available EU and National Schemes for Businesses’. “Gozo’s enterprises are well‑positioned to benefit:  the support exists, it is practical, and it is accessible. I encourage businesses to take the next step and translate these opportunities into long‑term competitiveness and resilience,” she noted.

This initiative was part of The Climate Funding 4 Cities – Gozo Idea Competition, managed by GRDA, which welcomed submissions supporting climate mitigation, strengthening community resilience, and promoting greener practices across the island. The aim was to empower local actors to develop projects that effectively reduce emissions, encourage sustainable behaviour, or enhance the island’s environmental capacity. It was funded following a successful application by The Malta Chamber for the available grant.