The scheme is intended to make life easier for those people who have not yet received their licence payment notification or for those who have not yet paid, he said.

Mr Vassallo made the announcement at a press conference held at Maltapost’s head office. “The

system is designed to cut down

on bureaucracy in government

revenue collection, something which I have been championing for a long time,” he said.

Mr Vassallo said that those wishing to renew their licence need only take with them the original copy of the licence, a receipt of the last payment and the notification of the payment due. If these documents are not available, the applicant must go directly to the Trade Licensing Unit at Lascaris.

The scheme will also allow the building of a trade licence database, he said. The scheme will be open for one month and Maltapost will be carrying out the practical aspect under the extension of a contract it has with government to accept payment on its behalf, similar to the collection systems for water bills and VAT.

Mr Vassallo said: “The TLU could have proceeded in court against those people who have not paid their licence. But instead, government has decided to simplify matters. However, if people still refuse to pay, then the government can resort to legal means.”

Mr Vassallo said the beauty of the system was that people did not have to go to the main post office but to any branch they wish.

Maltapost Chief Executive Officer designate Stephen Sultana said: “The use of Maltapost for this procedure will make people’s lives easier. We must be competitive and we must be efficient. We have an extensive network and it’s a win-win situation all round.”