The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA)’s electronic application system has been placed amongst the finalists of the 2009 European eGovernment Awards by the European Commission.

MEPA’s e-applications system, which is accessible through www.mepa.org.mt, has been nominated for offering one of the most outstanding practices in innovative services and processes that make administrations more efficient and effective. Through this system, the Authority not only processes development and environmental permitting but brings together different platforms and technologies into one homogenous system which allows clients to view application details, submit and pay for applications online and send/receive correspondence digitally thus increasing participation, efficiency and transparency.

MEPA Corporate Services Director Ing. Ray Piscopo said, “this nomination once again confirms the Authority’s drive to keep developing ICT systems that benefit society and improve the quality of life of our citizens.” He added “we are determined to keep finding new methods and systems to providing an efficient service and value for money for all citizens – a key pillar in the MEPA reform announced by Government earlier this year.”

Mr. Antoine Zahra, Assistant Director Technical Services said, “The e-Applications system has dramatically improved public access to information and radically improved transparency of the regulatory processes. Furthermore, this year the Authority gave all local councils, NGOs and News Editors free access to assist and facilitate them in the work they carry out”. He concluded that “e-Applications is serving as a useful case tool for other permitting solutions across all the national Government sector and could also be used as a blueprint for local, regional and national environmental and land use planning administrations across the EU as an effective model for environmental governance for embracing the principles of information society.”

Prior to the winners being announced, MEPA assisted by MITA, will be making a presentation on its e-application system to a panel of eminent independent experts in Malmo Sweden between the 18th-20th November 2009.

The focus of the European eGovernment Awards, which is organized every two years, is in line with the strategic goals of the “i2010 – A European Information Society for Growth and Employment” initiative and other European Commission initiatives for the development of an information society for all.

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