Malta - Infrastructure, power, and communications

During the 1990s, the government started several programs designed to make the infrastructure of Malta comparable to other EU nations. The centerpiece of these efforts is the new telecommunications system, and a new international airport that can handle increased passenger and cargo traffic. There are 4 Internet service providers in Malta and the islands are serviced by 1 satellite earth station and 2 undersea communication cables from Europe. There were 187,000 main phone lines in use in 1997. Significant road construction has been completed, but plans call for US$200 million in new highway improvements. The government also spent US$200 million to improve the Freeport cargo terminals, which now handle an average of 1.2 million containers per year. Much of this freight is trans-shipped from Europe to other markets globally.

Malta's energy needs are met through imported fossil fuels, mainly oil. In 1998 the nation produced 1.62 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and consumed 1.507 billion kWh. The country has 1,742 kilometers (1,082 miles) of roadways, of which 1,677 kilometers (1,042 miles) are paved. There are 2 major ports, in Valletta and Marsaxlokk, and a major airport. In 1999 the Maltese merchant marine included 1,484 ships. Many ships were actually owned by foreign firms from 49 different countries, notably Greece with 445 ships.

Maltacom, the nation's telecommunications company, has established GoMobile to provide cellular phone service. In 1999 there were about 15,600 mobile phones in use in Malta. Several international companies have established Internet and e-commerce businesses in Malta.