The government is in the final stages of presenting an e-commerce strategy to complement the efforts made by the European Union for a more digital society, Competitiveness Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera said.

Speaking during a conference in Italy chaired by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Dr Herrera stressed that Malta was playing a role to become a champion in digital technology.

“The digital strategy launched some time ago paved the way forward. Now we are in a phase to implement the strategy for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

Speaking in the presence of representatives from Samsung, Microsoft, Erikson, Oracle, Facebook, Ernest and Young, Google and Cisco, Dr Herrera said the e-commerce strategy would address one of pillars of the Digital Strategy.

“In line with the actions identified in the Digital Malta Strategy, the e-Commerce Strategy, which will be launched soon for consultation, shall identify a set of measures to sustain and grow local eCommerce, identify business sectors with the potential to capitalise on web technologies and penetrate foreign/niche markets and identify those opportunities whereby Malta may attract business activity operating or supporting the global e-commerce market.”

During the same seminar the “Venice Declaration for a more Digital Union” with the aim of driving economic recovery through digitisation, ensuring digital security and turning cities into laboratories of a dynamic digital Europe was launched.

Malta declared that it appreciated the presidency's work in drawing up this declaration for a more digital union and invited the Italian presidency and the Commission to present these proposals for discussion before formal European institutions.