The system was the "last pillar in the building of e-government", allowing private information to be accessed by the appropriate individuals, he said. The advanced electronic version of the ID card has been developed by Microsoft and Malta Information Technology and Training Services (MITTS) and the system was intended to be replicated and sold worldwide, Dr Gatt said.
It is intended for use in the online services - ranging from VAT to income tax, social policy and health - that have still to be introduced. So far, only the e-government services accessible to everyone are available online.
The system offers 100 per cent security, Dr Gatt said, explaining that the government would be operating the system, but would not be issuing the so-called "password". The latter was in the hands of a separate private company - the same concept behind credit cards and Personal Identification Numbers.
Dr Gatt was speaking at the inauguration of the 12th Information Technology & Telecommunications fair at the Trade Fair Grounds, in Naxxar, with his ministry's hi-tech stand forming the backdrop and offering a "glimpse at the future".
The fair, he said, was "growing in importance year after year" and the number of participants and visitors reflected the government's policy on IT.
Dr Gatt augured that the costly new system would not only be used by the government but would be taken up by private companies too.
The minister augured that users would only need to have one identification code to access the various services.
Dr Gatt said the delay in the introduction of the system was caused by government bureaucracy.
The tender to appoint an administrator was issued in July 2002 but the Department of Contracts took over a year to evaluate it, only to draw the same conclusions that had been drawn a year before.
Dr Gatt said the next challenge lay in educating the public to use the services, as well as bridging the digital divide, which still required more work.
Maltacom chief executive Stephen Muscat said a substantial increase in the amount of bandwidth for use by internet service providers had been commissioned. This was considered to be necessary also in view of the government's initiatives in the field.
Maltacom, the sponsor of the fair, was busy setting up the necessary infrastructure on the island, such as Wi-Fi, which was being installed in areas where it was thought the demand would grow.
Visitors to the IT&T Fair, which is open until Sunday, will have the opportunity to experience the latest technologies, Trade Fairs Corporation president Ian Mizzi said. All the space available at the fair grounds has been allocated, he said.
Last year, the IT&T fair was attended by about 25,000 visitors and Mr Mizzi was sure the number would continue to grow.
The fair is open from 6 p.m. to 10 today and tomorrow, from 5 p.m. to 10 on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 on Sunday.
Quelle: Times of Malta, 16.10.2003
