Opening of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority’s new offices

The Malta Digital Innovation Authority inaugurated its new offices in Mriehel on Tuesday 21 July 2020. Spread across two levels, the new state-of-the-art building is finished to the highest levels and standards.

As the authority covers a sector that is continuously evolving, it was fitting and timely for the authority to relocate its operations to a building that sufficiently caters for its roles and responsibilities. Attention was given to every little detail, including the use of the latest technology.

On Tuesday afternoon, MDIA’s Chairman Dr Joshua Ellul and Chief Executive Officer Stephen McCarthy hosted the Minister for Finance and Financial Services Edward Scicluna and Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services and Digital Economy Clayton Bartolo, for the official opening ceremony. They were given a tour around both levels together with an explanation of how MDIA staff will operate in the digital innovation sector.

Mr McCarthy said that back in 2018, the MDIA itself used to contact entities proposing the possibility of using new technologies. In 2020, it is now the other way round, as entities are increasingly reaching out to MDIA to be assisted on the use of Distributed Ledger Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and more. Whilst discussions with legislators are ongoing, he noted that the Authority’s remit will broaden much further in the coming years, as technology automation increases. Hence the new premises were a must to accomplish MDIA’s vision and welcome a new era for the authority.

Dr Ellul spoke about the technology assurance framework which the Authority developed. In doing so, the MDIA vetted, scrutinised and approved Systems Auditors, who are expected to uphold the same levels of standards and assurances in the innovative technology arrangements that they will be auditing. He remarked that innovation should not be stifled but supported, and therefore the framework is a voluntary one for non-critical systems, yet for critical systems may be a requirement mandated by another lead authority.

The Minister for Finance and Financial Services Edward Scicluna said that the Government was always at the forefront to embrace the digital economy. He remarked that there needs to be a common and coordinated front so that the digital technology is promoted in a holistic way, especially in terms of financial competitivity.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services and Digital Economy Clayton Bartolo mentioned how the MDIA is a crucial entity to keep the digital economy sector moving forward. He noted that in the previous months a lot of work was done so that the Authority continues to improve the digital sector and said that the successes in this sector are yet to come.