I refer to the statement by opposition Foreign Affairs and Information Technology spokesman (TMID 7 July) where it was stated that employees of MITTS Ltd were not informed about the reforms in Government’s IT operations.

I underline in no uncertain way that this is not the case, and that together with the board of directors, I proceeded in the most ethical and professional manner that one would expect, both with regard to the shareholder (the Government) as well as with regard to the employees.

It is obvious that, as chairman of the board, I am not in a position to issue statements to the employees before Government stated its policy position and communicated such a decision to the board.

Immediately this occurred, I communicated to all staff wherein I informed them of the Government’s ICT strategy. In my communication I explained that the direction embarked upon by MITTS Ltd in the past five years was, in its entirety, consistent with the direction established by the Government for MITTS Ltd. It is pertinent to underline that in determining this direction, Government acted upon the advice the board provided to Government.

In my communication I further informed MITTS Ltd staff that on the morrow I would meet with them to explain the changes and answer any questions that they might have. It is thus not correct for the honourable Mr Brincat to state that MITTS Ltd staff were kept in the dark.

Further to this, MITTS Ltd has, since 2001, proceeded on a strategy of re-alignment in order to focus its core business on the following areas:

• The operations of the ICT infrastructure and core services.

• The continued development of be-spoke applications designated as “strategic” that MITTS Ltd had already developed.

• The provision of consultancy, project management, contract management and implementation management of “off-the-shelf” systems and associated process re-engineering.

• IT security.

This strategy has, since 2001, been discussed on a rolling basis with MITTS Ltd staff during the preparation of the annual business plan.

It should be noted that the annual business plan, as well as the status reports, are provided to all the employees in an electronic format.

Immediately that the new board of directors was appointed in January this year, the board made it its priority to see that the strategy of MITTS Ltd is synergised with the general direction that the government was contemplating.

It is pertinent to underline that it is the government’s and MITTS Ltd ultimate aim to ensure that the company continually improves its quality of services, seeks excellence in its activities and strives for efficiency, effectiveness, economy and productivity – particularly given MITTS Ltd area of business, which is subject to dynamic and rapid change.

It is MITTS Ltd’s strategic goal that such continuous change is carried out without adversely impacting upon government finances. Rather, MITTS Ltd seeks to attain this goal by seeking cost-savings and efficiencies in its operational and administrative expenses so that the company channels its financial resources in ICT and human resource development investment. It is in this regard that the company is reviewing its costs related to the use and maintenance of its current premises.

With regard to the School Information System, MITTS Ltd has already stated in the past that it did not agree with a number of conclusions presented in the NAO audit and it had forwarded a report setting out its position to the Auditor General.

David Spiteri Gingell

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

MITTS LTD.