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Malta Diġitali

Digital technologies offer exciting new opportunities and solutions for emerging societal and business needs, and they also act as enablers for growth across all sectors of the economy. Moreover, recent global health challenges have also expedited the fast-paced growth in technology use and the radical shift to digital.

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Malta Diġitali

Introduction

By drawing on society, business and public administration experiences gathered from a comprehensive consultation process, Malta Diġitali offers a vision for a digitally transformed society and economy that enable the development and provision of solutions for key needs and challenges experienced by Maltese society and the business community. It outlines a path for Malta’s digital transformation journey, keeping society’s wellbeing and welfare at its core. Thus, it provides an overarching vision for future transformative initiatives to complement and guide measures being taken on Malta’s digital landscape.

Malta Diġitali combines elements of continuity and transformation. It builds on the progress experienced in the realisation of Malta’s preceding Digital Malta Strategy 2014-2020 and complements the implementation of ongoing Government policy, strategy and regulation, including Malta’s Economic Vision 2021- 2030 (2021), Achieving a Service of Excellence: A 5-Year Strategy for the Public Service (2021), Mapping Tomorrow: A

Strategic Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Public Administration (2019), the Malta.AI Strategy (2019), the Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021- 2027, the National Space Policy (2017), the MITA Strategy 2021- 2023, the National Post-Pandemic Strategy (2021), the regulatory framework for

Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) (2018), as well as the upcoming Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2024, the Data Strategy, the eCommerce Strategy, and the eSkills Strategy.

Malta Diġitali also commits to providing the necessary resources and investments to ensure alignment with EU-driven digital policies, strategies and legislative acts that

emanate from the European Commission (EC) and its Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council. These include the EC’s 2030 Digital

Compass: The European Way for the Next Decade, The Digital Europe Programme, EU-wide cybersecurity rules, the Artificial Intelligence Act, European Digital Identity, the Data Governance Act, digital rights and principles, revised roaming regulations, updated privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy), and the Single Digital Gateway.

An extensive consultation process was undertaken to support the Strategy’s development. It involved discussions with over thirty entities, including Malta’s regulatory authorities, various Government bodies with a digital remit, Government ministries, EU Permanent Representatives, industry representatives, startups, investors, social partners and NGOs. In addition, several strategic workshops were held. Strategic direction and input were provided by MITA, the Digital Economy Steering Committee (MCA, MGA, MFSA, MITA, MCST, Tech.mt, MDIA and eSkills Malta Foundation), the Digital Economy Think Tank, and Government’s core team for digitilisation.

Malta Diġitali combines elements of continuity and transformation. It builds on the progress experienced in the realisation of Malta’s preceding Digital Malta Strategy 2014-2020 and complements the implementation of ongoing Government policy, strategy and regulation, including Malta’s Economic Vision 2021- 2030 (2021), Achieving a Service of Excellence: A 5-Year Strategy for the Public Service (2021), Mapping Tomorrow: A

Strategic Plan for the Digital Transformation of the Public Administration (2019), the Malta.AI Strategy (2019), the Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021- 2027, the National Space Policy (2017), the MITA Strategy 2021- 2023, the National Post-Pandemic Strategy (2021), the regulatory framework for

Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) (2018), as well as the upcoming Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2024, the Data Strategy, the eCommerce Strategy, and the eSkills Strategy.

Malta Diġitali also commits to providing the necessary resources and investments to ensure alignment with EU-driven digital policies, strategies and legislative acts that

emanate from the European Commission (EC) and its Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council. These include the EC’s 2030 Digital

Compass: The European Way for the Next Decade, The Digital Europe Programme, EU-wide cybersecurity rules, the Artificial Intelligence Act, European Digital Identity, the Data Governance Act, digital rights and principles, revised roaming regulations, updated privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy), and the Single Digital Gateway.

An extensive consultation process was undertaken to support the Strategy’s development. It involved discussions with over thirty entities, including Malta’s regulatory authorities, various Government bodies with a digital remit, Government ministries, EU Permanent Representatives, industry representatives, startups, investors, social partners and NGOs. In addition, several strategic workshops were held. Strategic direction and input were provided by MITA, the Digital Economy Steering Committee (MCA, MGA, MFSA, MITA, MCST, Tech.mt, MDIA and eSkills Malta Foundation), the Digital Economy Think Tank, and Government’s core team for digitilisation.

Forwarded by the

Prime Minister
Robert Abela

Reaping the benefits of technology is possible through the adoption of a strategy that lays out the way-forward of how to make sure that all residents and businesses can benefit from the digitalization phenomenon, which is continuously happening as we speak. Indeed, the previous strategy sets out the principles and actions to improve socio-economic development.

The next step is for the Maltese Government to accelerate the change towards digitalisation, which cannot be avoided if we as a country are to keep pace with the developments. The 2022-2027 Malta Diġitali strategy focuses on the holistic transformation that is required through the digital aspect, while also tapping on new growth areas, aiming at a better society and a thriving economy. Malta has never missed an opportunity in being a pioneer of the digital sector, and this is evident through the local ecosystem, including a robust digital infrastructure. Not only have we provided the best possible conditions to attract foreign investments, but it was made sure that these are reputable ones, which are comfortable working in a regulated context, leading to a stronger environment. Nevertheless, the belief remains that our citizens are the top priority. It is because of this that the new strategy focuses specifically on how digitalisation can leave a positive impact on daily lives. We have placed people at the centre of our policies and actions. We are geared towards offering the best possible opportunities for the Maltese islands while placing the digital transformation at the top of Malta’s agenda. Digitalisation has been knocking on the door for quite a while, and the pandemic has swiftly accelerated such a process across various sectors. In the same manner that digital media connected us together, the Government envisages linking its citizens with their full potential, so that they can advance and prosper in their lives.

Hon. Robert Abela

Prime Minister

PM Robert Abela Portrait

Forwarded by the

Minister for the Economy,
European Funds and Lands

Minister Silvio Schembri Portrait

The digital landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace, and digital technology is becoming more deeply ingrained in our daily lives, revolutionising the way we live, socialise and work.

Malta Diġitali aims to lay the foundations for Malta’s transition towards a more digitalised society and economy – leading to better public services, more productive businesses, and citizens who are able to harness the immense opportunities that digitalisation brings. The recent global health challenges have indeed accentuated the digital transformation process, with ever more sectors of our Maltese society and economy using digital technology to communicate, learn, educate and work remotely. Digital will be the driving force for both economic and societal progress as we look ahead. It is a central component of Malta’s Economic Vision 2021-2031 and underpins our mission to become a future-proof nation. Our goal aligns with the European Union’s Digital Compass: The European Way for the Digital Decade, which presents its vision and goals on digital transformation within the areas of Government, skills, infrastructure and business. We are also taking advantage of grants under the European Commission’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) as part of the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument to support our digital transition while also enabling the further recovery of our economy within such challenging times. Digital sectors now account for over 20% of Malta’s economy and have been key drivers for growth over the past eight years. Digital is much broader than just the businesses that operate in these sectors and, therefore, digital transformation across Maltese industry is an overriding priority as we look ahead. It will spur productivity growth, innovation, new business and operating models, as well as support Malta’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In addition to driving our economy forward, we also want digital to be a tool to enhance wellbeing and quality of life. Maltese citizens expect to be able to access any government service at any time. We are therefore committed to developing cutting-edge digital government services over the coming years, as outlined in our new five-year strategy for Public Service – Achieving a Service of Excellence. When it comes to digital, Malta’s diminutive size has its benefits. The country is a great place to pilot new technology and then scale it well beyond our shores. The digital public services we design can also become a reference point for others to follow. That is why I am confident that Malta Diġitali will spearhead and chart a successful path ahead, underpinning enhanced wellbeing, prosperity and economic growth over the years to come.

Hon. Silvio Schembri

Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands

Malta Diġitali

Implementation &
Governance

The Strategy seeks to identify the proper levers to drive the right outcomes. However, it avoids being prescriptive in terms of approach so as to allow further flexibility in the initiatives undertaken within an increasingly dynamic yet innovative global digital context. The Strategy seeks to identify the proper levers to drive the right outcomes. However, it avoids being prescriptive in terms of approach so as to allow further flexibility in the initiatives undertaken within an increasingly dynamic yet innovative global digital context.

It is understood that public administration will play a key role in driving forward many of the initiatives. However, for the Strategy to succeed, the private sector and society also need to play their part. Ultimately, as clearly indicated throughout the Strategy, digital is there for all – individuals and organisations alike – to benefit from.

Following the Strategy’s launch, more detailed planning is to be undertaken to facilitate its effective implementation by all relevant stakeholders. This shall need to be followed by ongoing monitoring of progress against the ensuing detailed plans, serving as a tool for consultations and plan updates regarding potential developments occurring within the local digital landscape. Such tasks shall be spearheaded by the Ministry responsible for the

Digital Economy, which shall ensure an ongoing holistic approach of the Strategy’s implementation that is in line with Malta’s Economic Vision 2021-2031

Giving due consideration to country-specific assessments and the use of relevant widely recognised performance indicators within the digital sphere should also aid when gauging Malta’s maturity in attaining Malta Diġitali’s vision in the coming years.

Ultimately, while Malta Diġitali acts as a key reference point for digital on a national scale for the coming five years, it shall also trigger the roll-out of several national and sectoral digital (or digital-related) strategies required to ensure that its implementation can be far-reaching and complete across Malta’s entire society and economy

Malta Diġitali

Strategy

Download the full version of our strategy as a PDF by scanning this QR code