Minister Josef Bonnici launches COS on the Net

Minister for Economic Services, Professor Josef Bonnici, officially launched the Central Office of Statistics' (COS) own homepage on the Internet. The COS homepage can be accessed within the Maltese Government Website.

"This is another opportunity that confirms the Government's commitment to improve and update the Public Sector, while it stresses the present Administration's political belief, that information is to be less centralised, and more accessible to all, especially the business community and the media," said Minister Josef Bonnici.

The information available on the COS homepage covers a wide range of statistical domains and includes such areas as National Accounting, Balance of Payments, the Retail Price Index, International Trade, Demography, Industry, Social Statistics, Tourism, Employment, Public Finance, Transport and Agriculture.

All the information may be located after accessing the Maltese Government Website by using the following address:

http://www.magnet.mt/

After accessing this site, users should first go to General Information, than Other Information and afterwards choose the following item from the menu:

Central Office of Statistics - figures & data

The information available on this service shall be updated periodically.

The Central Office of Statistics may also be contacted on E-mail address:

COS@magnet.mt.

Minister for Economic Services, Josef Bonnici, concluded that most of the Departments and other bodies within the Ministry will be on the Internet in due date.

"Paper, space and time will be managed better with the introduction of Internet by the Central Office of Statistics, and will enable immediate access to the latest data without having to wait for the information to be printed. Another great advantage is that data can be immediately downloaded onto one's PC, thus avoiding the need to re-enter the information from printed publications," said Minister Josef Bonnici.