Malta: Preparations, Expectations

1
Malta Preparations, Expectations Challenges

• Alexander Wells
• Manager, Technical Preparations, NECC

2
Agenda

• Introduction Technical Preparations
• Achievements so far
• Current status today
• Last quarter 2007 planning
• Anything for 2008?

3
Introduction Technical Preparations

• Intervention by entities to ensure they and their
  stakeholders are ready for euro introduction

Customer
Supplier
Entity
4
Achievements so far

• Setup the legal (LN4 of 2007) and enforcement
  framework
• Defined collaboration with CCD (enforcers)
• 3 written directions before administrative fine

• Twinning with Austria Setting up the legal
  framework and price monitoring/analysis process
• Twinning visit with France Capacity building
  through study visits and training

Capacity Building

• Used on 154 for call logging
• Used by the Euro Observatory to manage EA visits
• Fully workflow based
• EAs key in visit findings via the internet
• Flexible instant management reporting
• Tailor made solution

• Voluntary commitment to do dual display
  correctly, not to increase prices due to the euro
  to train staff
• More than 6,000 organisations have joined (gt75
  of all outlets)
• EAs have done over 30,000 visits
• Promote the public to shop at FAIR outlets

• 4 full time Euro Observers
• 70 part time Euro Assistants
• Fully defined processes
• All staff fully trained and equipped
• Responsible for FAIR management, price gathering,
  retailer support

• All NECC projects follow this process
• Ensures initial plan is authorised
• All deliverables undergo QA
• Regular progress reporting
• Follows PRINCE2 project management methodology

5
Achievements so far

• Final updated Master-plan (June 2007)
• High visibility correct! dual display
• F2F meetings with major ICT vendors (10 in all)
  ICT vendors seminar, all banks, financial
  companies
• F2F meetings with companies on request (around
  200 done since summer 2006)
• Bring corporates into FAIR
• Present at seminars/conferences
• Managing business survey
• Development of 14 NECC guidelines
• Direct support to IOs, EO, SCs, TFs, entities and
  the general public
• Development of all NECC presentation material,
  many speeches articles

6
Current Status Today

• Just launched new interactive website
• Full content management
• Registered user features Publication orders,
  online chat, integrated complaint/query handling
• Query outlet (integrated with the CMS)
• Price Stability Agreements
• Just about to launch Price Watch website
• Public can query price trends for basket items
• Lists items for importers in PSAs
• Allows posting of price complaints (integrated
  with CMS) total transparency

7
Current Status Today
Some key findings of the September business survey

• 56 know they can accept Lm for one month (Jan
  08)
• 43 know they have 3 months to exchange Lm at
  commercial banks
• 74 know the IFCR (0.4293)
• 10 think the euro will impact negatively on
  business (44 think it will be positive)
• 31 know they can claim against the tax deduction
  scheme (47 dont know of it)

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Current Status Today
Some key findings of the September business survey

• 36 think the euro changeover is relevant (or
  very relevant) to businesses
• 55 indicated they will request euro cash prior
  to January
• 80 said ICT modifications are needed
• 92 have not done a changeover action plan of
  which 74 do not intend to do one
• 52 do not intend to modify ICT applications to
  handle euro
• 35 have enquired about euro security features
  training, 57 intend to

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Last quarter 2007 planning

• Sage seminar (tomorrow) with GRTU
• Meetings with entities on request
• Promoting multipliers (banks, accountants, IT
  vendors etc..) to help their business clients
• On going price analysis
• Managing the EO and 154 operations
• Extending 154 operations to cope with higher
  volume
• Supporting all SCs/TFs with final changeover
  implementation
• Supporting cash changeover logistics
• Training corporates in cash handling

10
Anything for 2008?

• Supporting those entities with problems!
• Cash logistics Mopping up the Lm
• On going price monitoring (EO support)
• Winding down of NECC integrating operations
  into permanent structures