Digital Malta Presentation by Michael Grech - President of The Gozo Business Chamber. Malinska, Island of KrK, Croatia. 6 th November 2015 In March 2014 the Government of Malta launched a National Digital Strategy programme for the years 2014 – Today the island is number one in the EU when it comes to use by government of the digital economy.

Digital Malta The first thing that was done was to set up the guiding principles behind this strategy. The following points were identified and started to be implemented: 1. Online government services are to be organised around the need of the citizen. Businesses, local councils and the community at large were consulted. 2. These services have to be in line with EU regulations and in support of the EU Single Market. (e.g. eSignatures)

Digital Malta 3. New or enhanced government services have to be designed for both web and mobile platforms. 4. Government is to use more technology in its business process and simplify it’s services. 5. More power and resources are to be made available to leaders and decision makers in order that they would be able to take advantage of technological advancements.

Digital Malta 6. Government systems are to be regularly assessed for efficiency and when necessary enhanced or replaced. 7. Government is to have an active online presence through the social media. 8. Ministries and other government entities have to own their ICT projects and only horizontal services were to be shared centrally across government.

Digital Malta 9. Government is to adopt open standards and encourage the exchange of information and innovation while seeking healthy competition and lower costs. 10. Government employees are to be supported by innovative, flexible technologies and associated business models.

Digital Malta The next step was to identify the Goals for this exercise. The main points identified were: 1. Simplifying existing digital public services. 2. Extending government transparency and eDemocracy. 3. Promote higher take-up of eGovernment services. 4. Enable fact-based decision-making.

Digital Malta 5. Encourage re-use of public sector information. 6. Engage citizens and increase participation. 7. Stimulate greater collaboration between international partners, governments, local enterprises and citizens.

Digital Malta The final thing to do was to then identify and list the initiatives required in order to move forward with this ambitious project. The number of initiatives came out to 228 and these were spread across different themes, mainly, Digital Citizen, Digital Business, Digital Government, Regulation and Legislation, Infrastructure and Human Capital. The relative government departments or entities responsible for implementing these initiatives were identified from the outset.

Digital Malta A few examples of these initiatives. 1. B. Start and Business Advisory Scheme (Malta Enterprise) 2. Cloud Computing (Malta Communications Authority) 3. Cloud and Clustering Services for Government (Malta Information Technology Agency) 4. Digital Games Research and Games Creativity (University of Malta)

Digital Malta 5. Implementing a Mobile Innovative Solution to Improve the Tourism Experience in Gozo (Ministry for Gozo) 6. Assisting NGO’s in improving their Web presence WebCheck (Malta Communications Authority) 7. ButterflEye - Building a web framework to enable people with severe motorneuron conditions to interact online. (University of Malta) 8. Free access to wireless internet in Health Entities (Ministry of Health)

Digital Malta 9. Internet Banking (Malta Communications Authority). 10. One Stop Shop for Citizens Technology Solution (Office of the Prime Minister). 11. Medical Appointments SMS Alert (Ministry of Health) 12. Blood Donor SMS Alert (Ministry of Health) 13. Corporate Travel Management System (Ministry of Finance)

Digital Malta Malta is currently the number 1. country in the EU when it comes to Digital Technology available to it’s citizens. However, unfortunately, Malta ranks quite down with other EU countries when it comes to the use of Digital Technology by it’s citizens. Thank you. Should anyone need a copy of the Digital Malta Programme of Initiatives please ask.