The past decades have witnessed an exponential increase in the ways and methods in which information technology and digital innovation have infiltrated our daily lives and routines. Both domestic appliances and industrial processes have come to rely more heavily on ICT, and the smart-phone revolution has seen the creation of digital applications for many of the routine tasks we perform daily. This is expected to keep increasing in the near future.
As a country, we have never been blessed with natural resources. But what we have lacked in raw materials we have made up for in the industrious work rate and versatility of our workforce. And that is how we have progressed and moved our economy forward throughout the ages.
When the previous administration introduced the mygov.mt service that promised the digitisation of many simple government services, many welcomed this forward looking strategy.
The full benefits of digitisation could be huge even if it is inevitable that it will take time for e-government efforts to bear fruit.
Read more: MT: The digitisation of the public sector services
MEP Marlene Mizzi supported new measures agreed by the European Parliament making it easier for disabled and elderly people to access public services, websites and apps of public administrations, such as hospitals, courts and other public sectors bodies on the internet.
"Access to public websites on the internet and e-government is extremely important and will soon be indispensable . Public administrations are becoming more digitalised and soon people will need to send their tax declaration, pay their bills and taxes, and apply for allowance,digitally. That is why it is extremely important to make public websites and applications accessible to everyone” commented MEP Mizzi shortly after the vote.
Read more: MT: MEP Mizzi supports new measures to make online public services more accessible
A mobile government strategy aimed at providing the country with a 24/7 access to public services through the use of mobile applications will be fully operational in March 2017 Principal Permanent Secretary Michael Cutajar and MITA Executive Chairman Tony Sultana announced at a press conference today.
The soft launch, which begins today, will use focus groups to test the application in order to create platforms which are based on citizen involvement.
Read more: MT: Mobile government strategy to officially launch in March 2018
- A new study on eGovernment services in the EU reveals that online public services are becoming increasingly accessible across Europe, 81% now being available online
- Malta leads rankings in all top key indicators measuring the delivery and performance of eGovernment services
- Analysis of user-centricity, transparency, cross-border mobility and general quality of use shows that growth across the EU is very uneven and a substantial number of member states are still lagging behind
Malta was confirmed the leader in the delivery and performance of eGovernment services amongst 34 countries – 28 European Union member states, plus Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and Montenegro – according to the eGovernment Benchmark Report 2016 issued on Monday by the European Commission.