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100 companies show interest in
strategic partnership with government
by Ivan Brincat
Around 100 companies have shown interest in entering into a
strategic partnership agreement with the government for the
setting up of an e-government initiative.
Government sources told The Malta Business Weekly that both
local and international companies have shown interest in teaming
up with the government for the design, development, implementation
and operation of the e-government
services initiative.
Initial interest has been registered by various international
companies such as Microsoft, Siemens, Oracle, Cisco, Baltimore
and ICL among others.
The government’s strategy behind the call for proposals
is not a normal tender. Government had said it needs a partner
which can help it to create a win-win situation. “The strategic
partner will invest with the government and in return they will
benefit from research and development, from using Malta as a
test-base and also from a commercial point of view,” Minister
for Justice and Local Councils, Dr Austin Gatt, had said.
The strategic partners have until 24 May to submit their proposals.
Meanwhile, the e-Malta Commission will be officially launched
this evening. Its main task will be to educate the Maltese population,
commercial sector and industry about the electronic revolution.
Dr Gatt told The Malta Business Weekly that the aim behind the
commission is that of creating awareness on what the information
society is all about.
“It will reach the widest possible audience in terms of
industry, commerce, education, telecommunications, government
and schools.
“Its remit also allows it to make suggestions to government
and constituted bodies on how to develop the sector and ensure
that there is no digital divide,” Dr Gatt said.
In its first year of operation, the e-Malta commission will
have a budget of around Lm60,000 and will have a small secretariat
in the ministry.
Sources told The Malta Business Weekly that the chairman of
the
e-Malta commission will be John Portelli. The members will be
George Sammut, Vince Farrugia, David Spiteri Gingell, Ing Philip
Micallef, Paul Galea, Sue Vella and Tonio Fenech.
Dr Gatt said the government had monitored the e-Europe initiative
of the European Union. “It is an initiative which we cannot
afford not to be part of. Our country cannot ignore what is
going on in the EU, even if we join or not because e-Europe,
for example, wants to have common standards in the systems used.”
Malta has invested heavily in information technology both at
government level and in the private sector over the last few
years.
The need to create more awareness is important because although
opportunities in the information technology sector are enormous,
few are those who are aware of its importance.
The commission will also work to stimulate more initiatives
and create more employment opportunities. It will identify opportunities
which exist both in the IT and communications fields and help
to improve the competence of Maltese and Gozitans working in
these sectors.
The e-Malta commission will work hand-in-hand with the government,
constituted bodies and social partners, with the industry, shop
owners, the IT sector and NGOs.
One of its first tasks will be to assess Malta’s legal
framework ensure that it is in line with international standards.
Access to systems must also increase, and the e-Malta commission
will be studying ways to increase the penetration levels of
the internet in Maltese households and close the so-called “technology
divide”
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