National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

• 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.
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