Malta to chair 2016 Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum

Malta to chair 2016 Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum

LONDON, 31 May 2016 - Shola Taylor, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) met with the Honourable Dr Emmanuel Mallia, Malta’s Minister for Competitiveness and Digital, Maritime and Services Economy in Valetta, Malta last Saturday to discuss the CTO’s strategic plan and the upcomingCommonwealth ICT Minister’s Forum 2016 taking place in June, and also the CTO’s 2016-2020 strategic plan. Shola Taylor and Honourable Dr Emmanuel Mallia, Malta’s Minister for Competitiveness and Digital, Maritime and Services Economy They were joined by Dr Edward Woods, Chairman of the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) and Steve Agius, Chief of Information and Development at MCA. Discussions about the forthcoming Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum focused on the final preparations for the biennial event. “The Maltese government deems Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) as a key enabler for the advancement of member countries. It is a tremendous privilege for Malta and me personally to chair the closed door meeting at the Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum in London,” said the Honourable Minister. During the visit, Mr Taylor also presented on the CTO’s new strategic plan for 2016-2020 to the Maltese officials. Dr Woods commended Mr Taylor on the plan and expressed the regulator’s interest in assisting the CTO with its implementation. “The MCA has a strategic role in achieving widespread e-literacy, digital inclusion and the use of ICT as a tool to improve quality of life for everyone, especially disadvantaged groups. We are, therefore, in a position to share our own experiences in many of areas of the CTO’s strategic plan.”