Maltese Government signs partnership with Omnitude to use blockchain technology to enhance the Malta Public Transport Service

PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS

Reference Number: PR181089en, Press Release Issue Date: May 17, 2018

“Blockchain technology is a key part of our overall national technology strategy that will see us transform different sectors across government” — Minister Ian Borg

Minister Ian Borg announced a partnership with Omnitude — a Multi-Enterprise Blockchain Middleware Platform. The deal is part of the Maltese Government’s blockchain strategy that will see blockchain technology implemented into the operations of the Maltese Public Transport Service to develop a transport and logistics platform using Omnitude’s blockchain middleware technology.

Earlier this year the Maltese Government approved a blockchain strategy, making Malta one of the first countries in the world to have a national strategy on blockchain technology. Blockchain is the technology that is considered across the world as the foundation of the next big industrial revolution, offering cost savings and efficiencies. Initially, the Government will work with Omnitude to develop overall improvements in transport reliability. Today’s announcement will see it deliver further innovation using middleware technology from Omnitude.

Omnitude was also recently announced as a technology partner in Formula 1, teaming up with Williams Martini Racing to assess the benefits that blockchain can bring to advanced engineering projects — the first use of blockchain in Formula 1.

Transport Minister Ian Borg said, “We believe in Omnitude’s blockchain technology and its broad use-cases for the Government. We can see its potential in a range of government departments and it will form a cornerstone technology platform as part of our commitment to drive forward innovation. It will improve the quality of life and enhance access to information for Maltese citizens. Blockchain technology is a key part of our overall national technology strategy that will see us transform different sectors”.

Chris Painter, CEO and Founder of Omnitude said, “Governments around the world are beginning to see the potential for blockchain to reduce costs and streamline services. Malta has an extremely progressive government and we’re excited about the potential this partnership brings. As a middleware technology, Omnitude’s potential use-cases are vast and we look forward to working with the Maltese Government to explore the capabilities of Omnitude’s broad based blockchain ecosystem”.

Both parties are hugely excited about the pioneering potential of this project to deliver huge real world benefits through the implementation of blockchain technology.​