Draft e-commerce national strategy launched

Jose' Herrera speaks at launch of Draft E-Commerce national strategy. Video by Ray Attard

A national strategy that will focus on the development of the local e-commerce market was launched this morning in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary for local government and culture, Jose' Herrera

The strategy, which is expected to be officially launched by September of this year, aims to address sectors with "high potential" such as the crafts, tourism, and hospitality sectors, support vulnerable sectors through e-commerce training courses and attract e-commerce-related business activity on a general level.

An online directory and advisory support service are just two measures the government is hoping to implement through the strategy.

"Through this strategy, we hope to better prepare the country for the ever-growing reach of electronic commerce," Herrera said.

"Today, nearly half of the Maltese are shopping online and it is our goal to encourage more businesses to invest more in e-commerce. Failing this, we risk falling behind other countries and we cannot afford to do that."

Herrera said that this was a challenge that could not be solved by implementing "a few measures here and there", hence the drafting up of a national strategy.

"The internet practically offers all types of products and it is our job to provide businesses with the necessary resources and opportunities in order for local businesses to make good use of this market."

Meanwhile, Celia Falzon from the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) - who are sponsoring the strategy - explained that the e-commerce field was growing at a rate of 18% every year compared to the 1.3% annual increase in non-online commerce, with the sector having seen an investment of a staggering EUR 1.03 trillion on an international scale.

However, as Falzon pointed out, only 15% of local enterprises sold products online with 18% receiving orders through computer networks.