“The government is in discussions with firms to lower the prices charged for broadband Internet and computers,” said Minister for Industry, Investments and IT Austin Gatt during the launch of the National ICT Strategy for Malta 2008-2010.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi launched the strategy called “The Smart Island” yesterday during a conference held at the Auberge of Castile in which Minister Gatt confirmed that the government would be announcing the new prices by the beginning of February.
Prime Minister Gonzi said the main aim of the strategy was to place Malta among the best 10 countries in the world in the field of ICT. This, he said, could be achieved through a faster and more modern level of connectivity with the outside world.
To this end, the strategy includes installing at least two more international underwater cables.
He maintained that the goal is achievable as the Maltese people are more than capable of carrying out this project.
Prime Minister Gonzi explained that the benefits of information technology have helped Malta, a small island nation, to overcome a number of geographical disadvantages. “Through ICT,” said Dr Gonzi, “Malta overcame geographical isolation, which had hindered it in the past with regard to imports and exports. Globalisation has put the country on a platform which increased its competitiveness.”
The Prime Minister said ICT helped to establish a level playing field for everyone and created equal opportunities for one and all. He described this attribute as the human dimension of ICT.
Dr Gonzi said the 2008-2010 strategy built on the 2004-2006 strategy, which successfully completed 117 out of its 161 stated objectives.
“The country’s success was achieved thanks to our level of ICT proficiency,” said the Prime Minister.
Dr Gatt said the country’s achievements in the ICT field have been praised by a number of specialised entities, including the Economist Intelligence Unit, the World Economic Forum and EU / Cap Gemini.
The minister explained that the overhaul in the education system, which will produce more ICT-related graduates, with 1,500 ICT students per annum graduating from MCAST and university, was an important part of the strategy. He said that the government would start installing IT stations for each and every student attending State schools.
“Malta’s performance in the ICT field,” said Dr Gatt, “has supported diverse sectors such as financial services, gaming and tourism.” The minister spoke about SmartCity Malta, which will create 3,600 ICT-related jobs and another 2,000 jobs. He added that the government would seek to create 4,000 new jobs in ICT by 2010.
Dr Gatt stated that the government aims at increasing its services over the Internet and explained the use of an electronic ID card in the light of an integrated medical system that was set up at Mater Dei Hospital.
The minister said The Smart Island plans on setting up 101 High-Speed broadband access centres in communities, as well as connecting 80 per cent of Maltese households to broadband and helping 75per cent of households access the Internet on a regular basis.