The number of Maltese consumers who are using the internet for their purchases are almost 31%, according to a study carried out by the Malta Communications Authority, representing mainly foreign purchases.
Transport and ICT minister Austin Gatt was yesterday addressing a press conference, in which he talked about the discrepancy between online purchases from Malta and those from abroad.
“It’s not just a Maltese phenomenon. According to the June 2008 Eurobarometer, small countries like Cyprus and Luxembourg are among the member states where consumers make the most online purchases from abroad. Malta is the second highest country, after Luxembourg, where consumers make foreign online purchases,” Gatt said.
Gatt said the MCA will be responsible for a new legal framework that will regulate e-commerce and explain the benefits of this technology to both Maltese entrepreneurs and consumers. The promotion exercise will be spread over three years in collaboration between the MCA, the GRTU and the Chamber of Commerce.
Gatt said the government was committed to creating an easier environment for the maximisation of ICT use and e-commerce especially. He said the MCA had an important role as regulator to promote e-commerce in Malta.
“Maltese retailers are facing competition from abroad within the single European market and government will introduce initiatives such as eMall, a fiscal credit system for e-commerce users,” Gatt said.
The ministry has now issued a public tender for the development of eMall, an electronic infrastructure for online sellers.
“One of the advantages of eMall for online retailers is the constant presence online and collective marketing together with other retailers, which will guarantee a wider ranger of products and services for online consumers,” Gatt said.
Earlier this year the government introduced a tax credit of up to 100% on the first €12,000 spent on elegible investments for the development of online businesses.