The first Maltese computer keyboard was launched yesterday at the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The keyboard is based on the UK layout but with the additional keys for the Maltese characters.
Tonio Paris, managing director of Sirap Limited, presented Minister Austin Gatt with a multimedia Maltese keyboard in the presence of officials from the ministry, the Malta Standards Authority (MSA) and the Central Information Management Unit (CIMU).
Dr Gatt welcomed the availability of the Maltese keyboard on the market and referred to the government's initiatives to ensure that both the business community and the public have the possibility to prepare and print documents in the Maltese language.
Dr Gatt referred to the collaboration between the MIIT, CIMU, MSA and the business community to conclude this project.
After the issue of the first national Maltese Standard, MSA 100:2002, defining the Maltese keyboard layout, and the signing of an enterprise agreement with Microsoft, it was a natural step to start procuring Maltese keyboards, Dr Gatt said.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 already incorporates Maltese language enablement, which includes a Maltese keyboard driver. This, together with the Maltese keyboard, offers users the possibility to type in Maltese.
Mr Paris said Sirap has always been at the forefront of technology and has been the first to launch many exciting products. The Maltese keyboard project had been underway for the past year and Mr Paris acknowledged the support extended by the MSA and in particular CIMU who tested and approved the keyboards.
The keyboard is of the highest quality and manufactured for Sirap by their partner Monterey International Corp. of Taiwan. With a turnover of over USD 45 million, Monterey is one of the largest manufacturers of keyboards, mostly sold under different brand names like Fujitsu, Samsung, Creative and many others. The device complies with the CE safety directives.
Three models of the Maltese keyboard have been launched. The K291MA is the standard version in PC ivory colour whereas the K366MA is the high-end multimedia version with wrist pad and comes in PC colour or silver/black.
Established in 1981, Sirap is one of the leading ICT suppliers providing solutions to many high profile customers, which include financial institutions, corporations, and large companies.