Rising expectations on ICT in the next budget

When the Minister for Finance presents the 2009 budget in autumn, expect to hear about initiatives in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector that could include new e-laws, the next generation fast internet access, new ICT training programmes, the completion of the e-health strategy, the launch of an e-mall, e-passports and smart ID cards for everyone, and online access to all government services by 2010.

All these initiatives are mentioned in chapter three of the pre-budget document just launched by the finance ministry. The full document is available at http://www.budget2009.com.mt.

Indeed the pre-budget document includes, for the first time, an extensive section, a whole thematic chapter, dedicated to ICT, inspired by The Smart Island National Information Communications Technology Strategy 2008-2010 currently being implemented.

"The implementation strategy to turn Malta into a cutting-edge ICT centre of excellence is proceeding at a fast pace," says the document in its introduction.

"A major private sector project that would contribute substantially towards turning Malta into a centre of excellence in this area was launched recently and work is moving at a fast pace for its phased implementation in the next few years. The necessary structures to mainstream national ICT policy and strategy and their coordination have been strengthened through the recent creation of the Malta Information Technology Agency."

The objectives for 2009-2010 include preparing Malta for the next generation of technology by laying the foundations for a "world class" infrastructure; giving new opportunities to citizens and developing a "smarter" workforce through ICT; enhance the productivity of Malta's private sector and its competitiveness through the adoption of e-business; reinventing the government of Malta by transforming the public service in terms of its service delivery and governance; and promoting Malta as a world-leading ICT hub for foreign direct investment while using ICT as a pillar to the economic growth of the nation.

To achieve these objectives, the document lists a series of initiatives that affect the various spheres of life in the country, especially government-citizen interaction, business, and education.

Within the legislative context of the EU, the government wants to develop a new set of e-laws aimed at establishing a "world-class" legislative framework which enables the largest extent of secure application of ICTs in our society and economy.

Jointly with industry, the regulatory authorities and the constituted bodies, government shall develop a framework (code of practice, policy consultation mechanisms and joint project environments) to provide holistic regulation waypoints aimed at establishing an ICT environment which is complementary to the objectives and measures set out in the Smart Island strategy.

The national e-security policy and strategy will be implemented to increase awareness of the advantages inherent in e-security at various levels and to make sure adequate awareness and information is provided at a service provider level of obligations and e-consumers are aware of their rights arising out of the e-Commerce Act.

In terms of technological advances, the government wants to encourage the development of the next high-speed broadband network generation, "preferably based on a fibre-to-the-unit delivery model and fixed broadband wireless in areas that are difficult to reach with fibre". The government will also establish a framework regulating the activities of the utilities, transport and telecoms to ensure a common national unified approach is adopted towards the deployment of broadband networks in Malta.

"We will ensure that Gozo will be effectively served with the necessary ICT infrastructure by enticing investment into further submarine and broadband wireless connections," the document promises, listing several initiatives specific for the island to exploit ICT especially in the fields of tourism and business.

Education will also play an important role, with initiatives at various levels being proposed, including citizens who need to learn using ICT to get a job or those who so far have not had the opportunity to learn basic ICT skills. Training and education at high levels will be encouraged, while safety will continue to be a paramount concern for the younger users of ICT. The e-health strategy will be completed to facilitate the extensive use and application of ICT in the public and private healthcare institutions across Malta and Gozo "for a better healthcare experience for patients". This included the systems at Mater Dei Hospital.

In terms of business, the pre-budget document proposes a public-private-partnership to deploy the "Malta e-Mall", a low-cost online mall aimed at enabling micro-businesses to participate in e-commerce activity and make use of common shared supply chain facilities. Assistance will also be extended to ICT start-ups. E-government takes a good part of the chapter in the pre-budget document. "This is an area in which Malta is leading the field in Europe," the document claims, while quoting from foreign reports on Malta's progress in the field. "The Smart Island Strategy concentrates on continuing to add value through e-Government by knocking down the bureaucratic obstacles between citizens/businesses as the clients and the government as the provider of public services."

New e-government services will include the issuance of e-passports and smart ID cards, the latter also providing identification for e-commerce and online services. The mygov.mt portal will also be transformed to become the primary platform through which the government interacts with citizens and businesses in a personalised way. The government will develop forms-based platform integrated within mygov.mt which will provide access to the users to all of the public services by the year 2010. Electronic procurement by the government will also be boosted.

The postal sector will experience full opening to market forces according to EU law.

Feedback to these proposals is being accepted on the website http://www.budget2009.com.mt and via SMS on 7979 2009.