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Top foreign companies interested in
e-government initiative
by Ivan Brincat
Nineteen consortia, including some multi-national names in
the world of IT have expressed an interest in the government’s
call for a strategic partner for its e-government programme.
Justice and local councils minister Austin Gatt said yesterday
the response was “stunning” in view of the fact that
it has attracted international companies with a great track
record.
The government hopes to end the process of selection by the
end of the year and will start discussions with all the consortia
which are short-listed and which meet the technical requirements
detailed in the call for proposals.
Microsoft, ICL and Bull, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (beTRUSTed),
IBM Italia, Commerce One, Compaq Computer Co. (UK) Ltd and Group
Telecom Italia are some of the top companies that are interested.
Some of these have joined forces with established Maltese companies
such as Maltacom, Maltapost, Melita Cable and Shireburn.
In all 58 companies submitted their proposal, 44 of which are
foreign companies.
Dr Gatt said the government was looking at a partnership which
offers a win-win relationship. The government will improve its
technology and move from a static web page to a portal. This
is going to be launched next month. The address is www.gov.mt.
He said the government will be looking at what is best for Malta
when it comes to choosing the partners.
The selection process will be divided into four phases. The
committee will evaluate the proposals until the first weeks
of July.
Those who have not followed government instructions will be
eliminated.
This will be followed by a technical evaluation of the proposals.
The committee will assess the companies’ experience, track
records, viability of the project, the technology and the methodology
to be used.
The government will then start negotiations with all the companies
that are short-listed and the best proposal will be selected.
A final decision will be taken by cabinet.
By the end of this year, the government hopes to have launched
e-government 10 projects, such as an electronic payment system
for examination applications, and debit/credit card payment
at the Passport Office.
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