Leo Brincat, the Labour Party’s spokesman for foreign affairs and information technology, yesterday called for the setting up of a work force to draw up a national holistic approach to electronic commerce.

He was commenting on the government proposal, which the Labour Party considered as positive, to set up an internet e-Mall department store, to enable shop owners sell their products online.

Mr Brincat said the task force could be made up of the government, private sector and local councils, and be led by a representative of the private sector. The main aim would be to coordinate government and private sector initiatives intended to facilitate the use of e-commerce. It should not focus only on the promotion of e-commerce between sellers and Maltese customers, but should also help SMEs and small and medium companies to consider foreign markets more dynamically and innovatively through this important medium.

An educational programme should also be introduced to widen the knowledge of Maltese businesses about the opportunities provided by global e-commerce, Mr Brincat said.