The idea of a tunnel connecting Malta and Gozo was very positively received by participants in a public dialogue at the Grand Hotel in Mgarr, Gozo, this morning.

The dialogue, led by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, included representatives of the Gozo Business Chamber, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Gozo Tourism Authority.

The government on Thursday said it will commission a feasibility study on the proposal to build an underwater tunnel between the two islands.

Dr Said proposed the immediate launch of in-depth technical and financial assessments of the tunnel idea, which he is promoting.

Massive support for the proposal was shown this morning but it was pointed out that Gozitans should have a very big say in the decision. They proposed a referendum in Gozo to see where Gozitans stood on the issue.

The GRTU also come out strongly in favour of this tunnel.

Director General Vince Farrugia pointed out that Gozo suffered from double insularity and Gozitans had a very hard time because of this, feeling that they could not benefit from the economy to which they contributed.

Some of the organisations in Gozo had already appointed sub-committees to work on the proposal, while a survey held by the GTA found had 90 per cent support of members of the Gozo Tourism Authority.

Dr Said said that a serious study was needed to assess the feasibility of a tunnel. This would look at various impacts, including the economic one.

He said that the idea was based on what has happened in foreign countries, especially Nordic ones, where similar underwater tunnels had been built.

Dr Said had said that such a tunnel would cost around €150 million.