The European Commission yesterday published the results of a survey which examined 14,000 websites in 28 countries, the 25 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. The method used defined an index of sophistication of services ranging from simple online information to fully interactive services including online payments and, where appropriate, online service delivery. The results show good progress in all the new member states including Malta. In fact, although it placed 16th, Malta is on an equal footing with member states like Belgium and Germany and is even outperforming much larger countries such as Greece and Switzerland.
When compared to the other nine new members, Malta does better than seven of its new counterparts. The only new member states to perform better than Malta are Slovenia and Estonia, with the second country being the best performing member state among the new entrants.
Generally, the study shows that over 90 per cent of public service providers now have an online presence and 40 per cent of basic public services are fully interactive. Availability and interactivity measures show that the EU's new member states are now where the EU 15 were just two years ago.
The Commission said the challenge now is to ensure that online government services are used as widely and extensively as possible so as to deliver the maximum possible efficiency gains for business and citizens.
The study has been carried out since 2001 in the former 15 EU member states and Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Countries with the biggest advance in the past year are Iceland (+20 per cent), Germany (+15 per cent), Italy (+13 per cent), the UK (+13 per cent) and Belgium (+nine per cent).
The study suggests that growth in online sophistication (such as full interactivity of services) will level off in the coming years. Further progress will require greater connection between civil services' front and back offices, increased collaboration and cultural and process change.
The Commission said that improved delivery of public services forms a key element of the wider economic strategy to modernise the EU economy. The new Lisbon Strategy will aim to encourage a clear, stable and competitive environment for electronic communications and digital services, increase research and innovation in information and communication technology and promote an information society dedicated to inclusion and quality of life.
Autor: Ivan Camilleri
Quelle: Times of Malta, 11.03.2005
