Malta

"The Maltese Information Society"
Esis II Workshop - Valetta, Malta - 1 October 1999

A workshop was organized in Valetta, capital of Malta, in the Aula Magna of the Old University Building on 1^st October 1999 with the collaboration of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Workshop was chaired by Mr. Saviour Baldacchino the Aldana Group representative of Malta.
The objectives of the workshop were:

• To present an overview of the MED Countries’ Information Society activities co-ordinated by the European Commission;
• To present the Information Society initiatives launched by the Maltese Public and Private Sectors;
• To promote synergies and co-operation between EU and Maltese activities.

More than 30 representatives from the Public Administration, Industry and Services, Media and Press and University participated.

Mr. Censu Galea, Minister of Transport and Communication, made the opening address in which he outlined the Maltese Government’s policy to promote the use of Information Communication Technology applications in all sectors of the economy and to push forward the drive of liberalization of all the communication sectors. He also stressed the need to enhance co-operation with the EU and the other MED Countries.

Mr. Raphael Koumeri made a comprehensive presentation of the various EU initiatives to promote ICT in the MED Countries. He described the ESIS II Project and explained how its outcome will contribute to the promotion of co-operation between the MED Countries and the EU, the transfer of know-how and the development of important Regional Programmes.

Mr. Joe Vella (left), Special Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Communication, gave details for EUMEDIS as he is the main contact for this Programme. Second from left is Mr. Saviour Baldacchiino, chairman of the workshop and Aldana Group representative for Malta.

The opening session was concluded by the presentation of the Maltese Information Society Project on local councils made by Mr. Sergio Galea (second from right) of the Management Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The second session chaired by Mr. Bruno Lorenzelli (second from left) responsible for the Management training of ITNodes gave an overview of the progress made in the IT Nodes initiative in Malta with the contribution of the local contact points for the various sectors (WWW and MM, HPCN, Technology for Business Processes).

	The third session chaired by Mr. Martin Debattista, ESIS II coordinator for Malta, focused on the Maltese Information Society Projects and plans. Representatives from the Department of Health, the University of Malta, the Tourism Authority, the Media Sector, the Civil Service, Entertainment and Commerce and Industry spoke about ICT applications in their domain, priorities and concerns.

The concluding session started with the speech of Mr. Austin Gatt, Minister of Justice and Local Government, (left), who is responsible for the development of ICT applications in the local administration aiming at reducing bureaucracy and improving the services offered to the public (center Mr. Baldacchino). Read the speech of the Minister of Justice and Local Government  (web site of the Maltese Government)

The participants were then invited to put questions and make comments. The main issues raised in the discussion were the need to reduce the cost of communications and raise awareness on the possibilities that are created by the use of ICT in all sectors and the resulting economic growth and the reduction of unemployment.

The workshop can be considered successful for many reasons.

The Government was represented at a very high level: two Ministers, a Special Advisor, Representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and a representative from the main Opposition Party.

The participants represented all the important Economic sectors of Malta. The workshop gave the first opportunity to gather all these actors together and many participants took the opportunity to make contacts for the first time or to request further information about current ICT projects, especially projects promoted by the Government to link the local councils and extend its services on line. Download here the list of participants

The conclusion of the discussions:

1. The Public and the Private sectors in Malta are already both extensively using the ICT and are committed to further develop the ICT applications.
2. There are various opportunities to promote the co-operation in the ICT sector between the EU and the other MED Countries and to enhance the regional economic development with the use of these technologies

It is clear that ESIS II is an important step for understanding the development of the Information Society and for shaping accordingly the Information Society Initiatives and Actions targeting the different countries

Click HERE to view the press coverage for this event.