The future is the 'new economy'

In the not-too-distant past, local businesses were reluctant to be "forced" into using new technologies. Rather than make use of computers or related items, they preferred to stick to traditional methods and retain the age-old maxim, "management by crisis" - "I'll only use it if I have no other choice". Rather than taking the first step, they waited until someone - with a bit more white matter in his brain - took the advantage. Then there was very little they could do.

As we enter the new millennium, there are still many companies, especially family-owned enterprises, that are still wary of the "new economy" and using IT to improve their business. It is therefore heartening to see that the GRTU is all in favour of doing business in the new economy.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, GRTU's director general, Vince Farrugia, did not mince his words, and stressed that for businesses to succeed in the near future, they had to be wired. This is not something new. Countries in Europe, Asia and especially in the US, have seen this coming. As far back as 1995, they had already seen the benefits of doing business on-line. In 2000, on-line commerce and business-to-business are booming.

Unfortunately, it has taken Malta a long time to realise this potential. To be fair, local businesses were always at a disadvantage. The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector has come at a late stage, not to say, too late in the day. This, and numerous other factors that are indigenous to this "small island economy" have never helped to foster or encourage the "new economy" among local businesses.

The ball now seems to be rolling, slowly but surely. The government is pushing for the liberalisation of the sector, although there are certain aspects that are not totally conducive to a "new economy-driven environment". At the same time, the constituted bodies are encouraging their members - through the holding of courses and seminars - to start exploring cyberspace, e-commerce and B2B.

The world is going global. In cyberspace, business goes beyond statehood, gender or race. You are either in or out. Can local business afford to stay out? We are firmly believe that the answer is "No".

Anglo-Maltese ties

The visit to Malta by Britain's Minister for Europe, Keith Vaz, is to be swelcomed. Mr Vaz has made it clear that the purpose of his visit is two-fold: to express Britain's clear support for Malta's European Union bid and to further strengthen the excellent Anglo-Maltese ties.

Mr Vaz has emphasised that Britain believes that Malta's future lies within the EU and that his country is pleased with the progress that Malta has made so far in its membership negotiations with Brussels. "We certainly will do all we can to help the process. EU enlargement is good for the people of Britain, Malta and Europe. It will provide stability and prosperity and peace, and those are the kind of benchmarks that will benefit this great country," he said.

Britain's solid support for Malta joining the EU is absolutely essential for this country. Britain is a leading member of the EU and is now playing a more central role in EU affairs under Prime Minister Tony Blair. This is certainly in Malta's interest: the more influential a supporter of Malta's EU bid is, the better our chances of being included in the EU's first enlargement phase.

Over the next couple of years we hope that these welcome words from the British minister will be put into practice. We hope Britain will push hard for the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference this December, which will allow enlargement to take place, we hope Britain will support target dates being set for EU enlargement once the IGC is concluded and we hope Britain will support the first EU enlargement wave only if it includes Malta.

We expect such support because bilateral ties between the two sides are excellent, in spite of some unfortunate hiccups in the past. We share a common heritage and language; social, economic, cultural and political ties are extremely strong and the two countries will be natural allies within the EU. This is why Britain should be a natural supporter of Malta's EU membership bid. Keith Vaz's visit can only further reaffirm this close bond between the two countries.