National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

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The results of this investment have been already acknowledged by the European Commission in its report “Preparing Europe’s digital future i2010 Mid-Term Review”. The European Commission has recognised Malta’s high ranking and has described it as “well advanced in information society”. Significant progress has been registered in the area of basic public services available online. Table 3 below shows the positive trends being registered in the area of ICT as a result of Government’s investment. Table 5 - Achievements registered in the ICT sector within the past 3 years 2005 2006 2007 Level of Internet Households 46 41% 53% 54% Broadband penetration rate 47 E-government usage by enterprises - Percentage of enterprises which use the Internet for interaction with public authorities 48 E-government usage by individuals by gender - Percentage of individuals aged 16 to 74 using the Internet for interaction with public authorities 49 E-government on-line availability - Percentage of online availability of 20 basic public services 10.4 12.8 13.9 68% 67% 77% 19% 17% 25% 40% 75% 95% The above results are encouraging and Government is committed to continue to sustain its efforts with a view to continue to improve the Maltese ICT sector. In fact, Government has launched a new faculty in 2007 within the University of Malta and a new building in the University of Malta will be specifically built for the provision of training within the ICT sector. Government also launched the Smart Island National ICT strategy 2008-2010, which seeks to address pro-actively the major challenges which Malta’s development in this sector shall inevitably face. Primary amongst these shall be the need for the identification and address of the ‘new’ digital divides which will emerge in the coming years, the successful application of technologies in the enhancement of the quality of life of citizens and the constantly moving target of becoming (and remaining) a leading ICT industry in the region. The Smart Island Strategy aims, to set a vision for Malta to become one of the top 10 information societies in the world. The main objectives set within the Strategy include: • preparing Malta for the next generation of technology by laying the foundations for a world class infrastructure; 46 Percentage of households who have internet access at home. Figures abstracted from: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=we lcomeref&open=/&product=REF_SI_IR&depth=2 [Abstracted on: 19 August 2008] 47 Number of broadband access lines per 100 inhabitants Figures abstracted from: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=we lcomeref&open=/&product=REF_SI_IR&depth=2 [Abstracted on: 19 August 2008] 48 Figures abstracted from: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=we lcomeref&open=/&product=REF_SI_IR&depth=2 [Abstracted on: 19 August 2008] 49 Figures abstracted from: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=1996,45323734&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&screen=we lcomeref&open=/&product=REF_SI_IR&depth=2 [Abstracted on: 19 August 2008] 49 Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 64 -
• overcoming the last miles of the digital divide, whilst bringing people together irrespective of their social status, using ICT to give new opportunities; • developing an even smarter workforce by continuously investing in people and nurturing their skills and potential; • using information systems and technology to improve the quality of life of Maltese citizens; • re-inventing the Government of Malta by transforming the public service in terms of its service delivery and governance; • enhancing the productivity of Malta’s private sector and its competitiveness through the adoption of e-business; and • promoting Malta as a world-leading ICT hub for foreign direct investment whilst using ICT as a pillar to the economic growth of the nation. In addition to the aforementioned strategy. Government has also launched a series of initiatives aimed at promoting ICT. These initiatives included: • Blues Skies Scheme: the provision of Internet within households which do not have an internet connection at a cheaper rate of €3 per month. 5,600 households have benefited from this scheme; • Smart Start: this schemes aims to minimise digital divide and making ICT affordable to all. The SmartStart has given the opportunity to approximately 1,200 persons benefiting from social or unemployment assistance benefits, persons with a disability registered with the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities, and Not-For-Profit Organisations to purchase a PC in a good working condition at a very affordable price; • StarOffice: through a partnership with the private sector, Government has provided office software for students and persons with a disability at €2 per pack. This scheme was taken up by 600 persons. • Smart Women: is aimed at increasing the employability of women through the offering of a number of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) certification programmes. The take up of this scheme is encouraging with 2,000 women having already benefited from this scheme; • Computers for €0.99 per day scheme in partnership with the banks and the private sector to make brand-new PCs available to the public at the affordable rate of €0.99 per day; • ICT awareness campaign aimed to attract students to take up ICT courses at the various institutions. Energy and Climate Change The sustainability of natural resources has been featuring high in the European agenda. Malta is cognisant of the need to safeguard the sustainability of natural resources in ensuring the country’s well being. Within the new NRP, Malta intends to focus its efforts towards ensuring energy efficiency, mitigating the impacts of climate change and water conservation. Energy The production of energy from fossil fuels is the most obvious source of environmental pressure due to the combustion processes involved. Indeed, this sector contributes to about 63% of Malta’s GHG emissions. Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 65 -
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Contents List of Acronyms..........
Page 4 and 5:
Conclusion.........................
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IT Information Technology SCM Stand
Page 8 and 9:
Introduction The renewed Lisbon Str
Page 10 and 11:
Malta’s NRP 2005-2008 Closure Rep
Page 12 and 13:
Measure 1.5 Redeploy Government emp
Page 14 and 15:
Measure 1.12 Promote public service
Page 16 and 17:
Measure 2.1.3 Develop SME loan guar
Page 18 and 19:
Measure 2.4 Enhancement of existing
Page 20 and 21:
In July 2008 Malta experienced a 1.
Page 22 and 23: Moreover, Government has set its vi
Page 24 and 25: The first phase of this initiative
Page 26 and 27: Between 2005 and 2006, 37 22 partic
Page 28 and 29: A consultation paper on the introdu
Page 30 and 31: Measure 4.7 Establish a forum betwe
Page 32 and 33: Within this context, an MPA Steerin
Page 34 and 35: The main plant of Sant Antnin is be
Page 36 and 37: Political Summary The re-launch of
Page 38 and 39: Addressing Malta’s Specific Recom
Page 40 and 41: Whereas it may be confidently ascer
Page 42 and 43: Table 2 - Key State Aid Indicators
Page 44 and 45: Older workers Increasing the employ
Page 46 and 47: Implement changes to the tax and be
Page 48 and 49: Containing public health care expen
Page 50 and 51: Within this context the existing Bu
Page 52 and 53: Raising educational attainment and
Page 54 and 55: • a number of policy reviews whic
Page 56 and 57: Macroeconomic Policies Recent Econo
Page 58 and 59: The improvement in the current acco
Page 60 and 61: Vision and Objectives Stable macro
Page 62 and 63: The generally widespread trend in E
Page 64 and 65: This high degree of decentralisatio
Page 66 and 67: Microeconomic Pillar The turbulent
Page 68 and 69: • 5 IOs concerning Financial Serv
Page 70 and 71: The ongoing screening process has i
Page 74 and 75: In this respect, energy efficiency
Page 76 and 77: Employment Increasing the overall e
Page 78 and 79: The opposite is true for those with
Page 80 and 81: The project will help young people
Page 82 and 83: This process aims to facilitate the
Page 84 and 85: In addition, MCAST is embarking on
Page 86 and 87: Apart from the Faculty of ICT, the
Page 88 and 89: • the Implementation of an on-goi
Page 90 and 91: Appendix: 01 - List of Measures
Page 92 and 93: 3.4 Manufacturing research projects
Page 94 and 95: 9.0 Addressing Groups at Risk 9.1 E
Page 96 and 97: 15.5 Upgrading of Zewwieqa Waterfro
Page 98 and 99: Appendix: 02 - Flexicurity Measures
Page 100 and 101: key competencies to adult learners
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