Microsoft lauds bid for 'first class information society'

Microsoft feels EU membership would help Malta become an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre for excellence in the region.

Local Government Minister Austin Gatt yesterday received a letter from Jean-Philippe Courtois, Microsoft Corporation senior vice-president and president for operations in Europe, to this effect.

Mr Courtois said: "I have no doubt that your ministry's efforts in the attainment of a first class information society and economy in Malta, together with your country's accession to the EU, will rapidly contribute to your establishment as an ICT centre of excellence in the region."

Mr Courtois also confirmed that in line with Microsoft's belief in Malta's potential in the European ICT industry, the software giant will be holding its 2003 country managers' meeting for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in Malta between April 24-25.

Last January, Dr Gatt secured a long-term deal with Microsoft under which the multinational corporation would invest Lm20 million in Malta.

Malta landed the deal only after Microsoft conducted an analysis of the 10 countries aspiring to join the EU. Dr Gatt had said this investment was not likely to materialise if Malta opted to stay out of the Union.

Dr Gatt signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft on a number of areas of cooperation aimed at "rapidly transforming the island into a European ICT-jewel in the Mediterranean".

Among other forms of investment, the agreement provides for the setting up in Malta of the first technology centre of excellence in the region, giving access to source-codes.

The government will also be enrolled in a security programme, and the island's 70,000 students will be offered software at give-away prices through this deal.

In his letter, Mr Courtois said he was pleased to note that the ministry was working "very hard" to implement all the provisions of the agreement reached in Paris last January.

"At this end, we are extremely keen to realise our contribution, which will invariably play a central role in the further development of our workforce's ICT-capabilities," he said.