 25-31 October 2000 |
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Opinion The benefits of standardisation Prof. Josef Bonnici, Minister for Economic Services, recently addressed a seminar titled ‘The Benefits of Standardisation to Industry' in which the minister lays out the current role of the Malta Standardisation Authority and its anticipated evolution Local News Rinella movie park post mortem needed Rinella Movie Park may have managed to keep open if tour operators had lent a helping hand, according to the Director General of the Association of General Retailers and Traders. Mobile companies get ready to respond With the launch of mobile phone company Go Mobile just six weeks away, competition in the mobile phone sector appears to be hotting up. By Nadine Brincat Gozo Business Chamber joins EU Network of Insular Chambers The motion was approved during the first General Assembly of this network, which was followed by a two-day forum entitled "The Sustainable Development of Insular SMEs in View of Globalisation". Valletta Fund Management inaugurates new premises The new premises were inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, Bank of Valletta Group Chairman Mr Joseph FX Zahra and Mr Paul Manduca, Chief Executive Officer of Rothschild Asset Management and director of Valletta Fund Management Limited APS hosts conference for farmers co-operatives and producers organisations APS Bank recently held a conference for the Co-operative of Farmers and Producers Associations, with the participation of the Agriculture Department, MIC and the Malta Standardisation Authority. |
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E-government finding its place in the IT revolution [ 1 | 2 | 3 ] MITTS aims to create a virtual government
In view of the growing world-wide interest in e-government, the Maltese government has recently commissioned a number of papers and reports on the advantages and opportunities offered by digital technology, with the aim of using it to reach out to the public and provide its services more efficiently. A unique virtual reality experience at the Malta Information Technology and Training Services (MITTS) stand at the IT&T fair last weekend served to promote the company’s concept of e-government, a means of electronic service delivery, considered to be the most efficient system for government to serve the public better. The aim of MITTS to head towards the creation of a virtual government was considered to be ideally expressed by the innovative virtual reality presentation in which the government was symbolised by a building, with 15 offices representing service clusters and offering valuable information, explained MITTS IT consultant Damian Xuereb. The idea was to project the government as one building and not a number of scattered departments, demonstrating that it is no longer a hierarchical, bureaucratic structure and emphasising the one-stop-shop concept, whereby access to information or services from any ministry, or department, would be possible from anywhere. The new technology would bring about the elimination of long queues, unnecessary running around departments and delays. It would allow for the delivery of high-quality electronic services on a round-the-clock basis, resulting in greater ease, convenience and practicality for the citizen, while generating an immediate cost-cutting effect, without compromising quality. The government’s on-line services could be accessed through mobile telephones and computers, public kiosks, local councils, call centres and, eventually, digital television. Visitors at the fair could don the virtual headset on a central platform to experience the presentation in the form of a pre-defined tour around the offices - or services - in the building. The stand also included a kiosk with information on government services, a prototype of e-government website and a display of future technologies, such as a pocket personal computer, which could, one day, be used to access public services. The e-government initiative was being considered by a number of governments worldwide, digital technology being a powerful tool and enabler for the re-engineering of their role, said Mr Xuereb. The provision of government services on-line would facilitate the adoption of digital technologies crucial to the country’s future competitively; it would encourage a re-definition of the role of government, moving steadily towards a more citizen-oriented organisation. Adding value to services is another objective of e-government and is achieved through the consolidation of transactional systems which, while currently yielding results, are fragmented among different departments. Service clustering means a seamless approach to the encapsulation of otherwise disparate services. The concept of e-government is still in its infancy, and the electronic service delivery would require time to be fully operational. But, it is on the way to being realised through the rapid progress in digital technology, and the effort on the part of the government and other collaborating partners, such as MITTS. Related articles: E-government finding its place in the IT revolution: The clear advantages of embracing e-government Attaining e-government in Malta | |||||||
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Damian
Xuereb, MITTS IT consultant demonstatingThe Business Times, Network House, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 07 | Tel: (356) 382741-3, 382745-6 | Fax: (356) 385075
Editor: Saviour Balzan
e-mail: [email protected]