The Malta Chamber of Commerce, together with the government, have launched Tech.mt, which will help the Maltese tech sector grow.

During the launch, Parliamentary Secretary for the Digital Economy Silvio Schembri said that this was a budget measure. He said Tech.mt will market Malta in key tech areas, like AI, the internet of things, big data technology, and others. Tech.mt is a non-profit foundation between the government and the Malta Chamber of Commerce through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), and will position Malta as an attractive location for the key tech areas, he said, adding that it will promote Malta through international fairs and conferences.

Tech.mt will also help support foreign players, and assist them in promoting their services abroad, he said, adding that Malta has now embarked on an ambitious journey.

He also spoke of the need to attract more women to this industry and also spoke of the need to encourage youths to move into the tech sector.

The Malta Chamber and Government have been working on this for years, Chamber President Frank Farrugia said. It was a concept which originated from the Chamber’s grassroots in their ICT - business section, he said.

The formation of this PPP was agreed to during an Annual General Meeting in 2016, but the entity created through the PPP never commenced operations due to the fact that its formal establishment was delayed, he said. The process took fresh impetus when, after the last general election, he brought up the issue with the Prime Minister, he said.

“The best way forward was then decided. I am now pleased to see this foundation being launched.”

The chairman of the foundation is nominated by the government in consultation with the Chamber, and the Deputy Chairman will be nominated by the Chamber in consultation with the government.

Tech.mt Chairman Mark Bugeja said Tech.mt will help the relevant companies export their channels to foreign lands, and will be the go-to-entity to help the relevant companies set up in Malta.

The Deputy Chairman Francois Grech said that the objectives of Tech.mt are to lead to innovation and establish Malta as a leader through innovation. “Malta needs to be positioned as a leading innovator.”

He spoke about promoting the technology industry, as paramount to Tech.mt. He also highlighted the importance of attracting partners to help innovate, and assist the sector.

“We are looking to establish Malta to be a pillar in the ICT sector,” he said, speaking of the need for more focused promotion. He also spoke of the need to help expand the value of the sector. “Another of the driver is promoting Malta as a brand, and to assist companies working in Malta.”