Almost all enterprises employing at least 10 full-time equivalent employees had at their disposal both a computer and internet access, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that according to an annual survey on information communication technology, carried out during the first quarter of this year, 96 and 65 per cent of 10+ enterprises and micro-enterprises, respectively, made use of a computer during the period under review.

The vast majority of the former enterprises had internet access. All 10+ enterprises forming part of the financial sector had access to both a computer and the internet. Over 98 per cent of 10+ enterprises had access

to broadband connection.

The majority of enterprises that employed 10+ full-time equivalents had the facility of local area network. Results show that 30 and 29 per cent of 10+ enterprises made use of Extranet and Intranet, respectively.

Online banking and financial services was made use of by 81 per cent of the targeted 10+ enterprises which had internet access. Around 32 per cent of enterprises within the same size class offered training courses through the internet.

E-government services were utilised by 83 per cent of those 10+ enterprises using internet.

Obtaining information and downloading forms from government institutions was the online service most sought after by enterprises.

Nearly 70 per cent of 10+ enterprises availing themselves of internet also had a website or a webpage.

Nearly 14 and 22 per cent of online sales and purchases, respectively, took place in enterprises employing at least 10 employees.

Nearly 48 per cent of the enterprises within the hotel and accommodation industry received orders either through their website or through other automated data exchange.