1. Fabianne Ruggier – Project Co-ordinator Supporting Innovative ICT Business

2. An Overview  The eMalta Commission (2001-2003)  A Plan of Action covering Information Society, Digital Divide, eCommerce, eGovernment, ICT Labour Supply…

3. Milestones  Some Results ; - 58% of households owning a PC - 49% connected homes (30% Broadband) - 50% of Maltese regular Internet users - 61% of Maltese having basic ICT literacy skills

4. The Present  The Ministry for Investment, Industry, and Information Technology  The National ICT Strategy 2004 – 2006 13 Strategic Objectives A Programme of Works with over 200 initiatives

5. The ICT Strategy and Entrepreneurship  Promoting and extending holistic ICT-education and accessibility to technology  Promoting the ICT culture in SMEs with the objective of making them derive the benefits of introducing ICT in their operations

6. Strategic Objectives Continued  Enable and empower the local businesses to gain access to the larger global market by participating in the eBusiness Community

7. Our Deliverables  These 3 Strategic Objectives augur that in 2007; - at least 20 new ICT start-ups per annum - 90% of local businesses are connected - 50% of local businesses regularly transact online

8. The Future…Initiatives and Projects  Facilitate the development of an ICT innovation incubator aimed at students in post-secondary education  Organise a series of ICT-industry familiarisation activities for students and visits from industry-leading players

9. Initiatives Continued  eBusiness awareness and educational programmes for SMEs  Build an ICT take-up incentive package aimed at kick-starting the small businesses in the ICT

10. Initiatives Continued  Facilitate the establishment of a national e- marketplace, linking the e-id mechanism, m- commerce and local delivery service provision  Develop and disseminate an e-export brand and ancillary programmes and initiatives

11. Thank You fabianne.ruggier@gov.mt