PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY FOR THE ECONOMY, EUROPEAN FUNDS AND LANDS
The Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands today launched five strategies with the ultimate goal of leading our country to be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution we are going through.
The Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that while in previous industrial revolutions there was always a need for natural resources, coal, fuel, land to build machines and large plants, the smallness of our country was an obstacle. In this fourth revolution, because the emphasis is on a technological world, our smallness is not an obstacle, and we can ride on the opportunities that this revolution offers.
1. Strategy for the Maltese Authority for Digital Innovation
This strategy among others will see expanding research on innovative technologies to reflect the needs of today’s society; will be supportive of the government’s initiatives when it comes to regulation and compliance using innovative technology; and will identify the risks associated with innovative technologies and reduce their impact on the industry.
2. eCommerce – Strategy of the Maltese Authority for Communications
This strategy will see that we have an effective regulatory framework when it comes to eCommerce for the benefit of businesses and consumers; to have an educational campaign about the benefits and risks of online shopping; and to have an increase in small and medium local businesses with a digital platform.
3. eSkills Strategy
This strategy is divided on four main pillars: education, society, the labor market, and professionals in ICT. Its main objectives are that as a society we have more digital knowledge, and to be more confident and productive in the use of digital technology; in the public administration, we see a continuation of digital transformation and online services in accordance with the strategy for the public service. This strategy sees that from the field of enterprise we see more businesses adopt the digital transformation, so that they are competitive in the digital world we are living in, while the educational system evolves more on every level to be able to cope with today’s and tomorrow’s need in digital skills and to have more professionals in ICT in the local market.
4. National Cyber Security Strategy
This strategy was worked out in collaboration with the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security and aims to see that the digital infrastructure of our country is strong and protected. The strategy sees that both from the point of view of businesses and from the economic point of view, there is the necessary security regarding cybersecurity. As well as strengthening cooperation on cybersecurity at national, European and international level.
5. Digital Malta
This strategy explains how Malta is expected to maintain the pace it has taken by being at the forefront of this fourth industrial revolution. The main objectives are that Malta continues to strengthen its economy through digitalisation; to accelerate digital and innovative research and make Malta the natural place for innovation; to reduce infrastructural, social and environmental pressure through technology; and to continue to overcome the digital divide while assisting parts of society. Digital Malta also aims to continue to increase talent and competences in digital fields in the human resource, to improve trust, security and resilience in digital services and to prioritize investment in digital infrastructure.
In a message sent by Roberto Viola, the Director General of the European Commission for Communication, Networks, Content and Telecommunications (CONNECT), he praised Malta’s initiative to create a plan for the digital vision for the coming years, highlighting that it is not only for the benefit of Maltese citizens, but also for businesses, for European citizens and for everyone who visits our country.
Minister Silvio Schembri concluded by saying that these strategies are creating the vision of Malta to be a center of excellence when it comes to digitalization and innovative technology, and that all this can be done by a number of entities working together for one purpose.