Last May, the European Commission adopted its Digital Agenda For Europe by unveiling a detailed plan that aimed to improve the competitiveness of the European ICT industries, mainly by infusing a real EU-wide single market for online products and services.

The proposed actions are meant to eliminate existing barriers that are preventing the proper functioning of the "digital" single market and involve initiatives that will improve ICT standard-setting and interoperability and will bring about better targeted R&D investment and improve the digital skills base and general accessibility to online services.

For Maltese businesses, the adoption of the Digital Agenda is a most welcome move not only to spur further advancement in e-business but also as one of the initiatives for delivering market-oriented reforms to overcome the fragmentation of the European telecoms market. The Digital Agenda is about opening business opportunities for ICT enterprises that are well-positioned to build upon their current e-business offer, as well as to venture into cross-border e-commerce.

The Malta Business Bureau has compiled a consultation report along with local ICT businesses on the new EU Information Society strategy and stresses how small businesses should be at the core of any future developments.

Rolling-out a successful EU single digital market requires the incorporation of the best available digital infrastructure into SMEs business models and operational structures.

Adequate ICT-skills enhancement, the facilitation of access to finance for investment plans and a reliable, affordable high-speed broadband connectivity are the three critical aspects for Maltese ICT business to compete successfully in the European digital single market.