Public-private partnerships to characterise e-government projects

By Kurt Sansone

Acknowledging the potential of the local information and communications technology industry, government intends to outsource all e-government projects to the private sector during 2002.

The public-private partnership has already bore fruit and next month will see the establishment of a Cisco Regional Academy, which will provide training opportunities for IT professionals.

Justice Minister Austin Gatt, addressing representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the FOI and the GRTU yesterday, said that it is government’s policy to proceed with the e-government project in tandem with the private sector with government’s role being that of setting the required standards.

Dr Gatt spoke during the launch of a survey among businesses, to gauge perceptions of the commercial community on e-government.

The survey is the second of its kind conducted by the e-Malta Commission. The first survey, conducted a couple of weeks ago gauged the perceptions of the general public on various aspects of e-government.

Both surveys will provide the necessary information to tailor make the e-government project according to the needs of citizens and the business community alike.

The business survey, which is currently underway, is to be conducted among a sample of 250 business operators.

Addressing the same gathering, Chamber of Commerce President Reginald Fava expressed his satisfaction that the commercial community’s opinion was being sought by the e-Malta Commission on the e-government project. Mr Fava remarked that government should also consult the commercial community on other major projects.

The e-government project is moving ahead in earnest and last Saturday, the Justice Ministry announced the consortium that will form a strategic partnership with government in the implementation of e-government.

The Compaq Consortium, which was selected by the Evaluation Committee, is composed of Compaq Computer Corporation, Deloitte & Touche Management Systems and EGS/NIC.

Comaq Computer Corporation is a leading American computer company, which in the fourth quarter last year posted revenues of USD8.5 million. The company is expected to consolidate its market position with an impending merger with Hewlett Packard. The merger, announced in September last year, will create a USD87 billion global technology giant.