A Solid Partnership: SmartCity and Malta

Malta, March 4, 2008

SmartCity Malta, part of a global network of self-sustained townships, has yesterday concluded its second Board of Directors’ meeting of 2008. The marketing strategies and development plans of SmartCity Malta were presented, discussed and approved during the said meeting – all of which are in parallel with Malta’s long-term ICT vision.

Extensive progress has been demonstrated by the multi-disciplinary team handling SmartCity Malta. In effect, the Board of Directors has approved the Master Plan to be submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority which comprises of 85 acres of land and projected to host 5,600 knowledge workers.

In line with its project development schedule; SmartCity Malta has identified potential target sectors and companies that would enjoy SmartCity Malta’s infrastructure, environment and support systems. In accordance with SmartCity’s business plan, the job creation plan was also discussed to create maximum opportunities for all ICT knowledge workers locally, regionally and internationally. The Board took note of the strong international interest shown in the project over the last months, with the first anchor clients expected to be announced over the coming months.

The Board of Directors also noted with great satisfaction that the Government had launched the Government Services Unit and had concluded a significant number of service level agreements with various government departments and public sector entities.

Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity and a Board Member of SmartCity Malta and Kochi, commented on his appreciation for Malta’s support in the SmartCity Malta project and on his certainty that “Malta will be the preferred ICT and media destination in the Mediterranean region”. Mr. Abdulrahman added that the “synergy between SmartCity and the Government of Malta is an exemplary model of how the public and private sectors can collaborate towards the attainment of the common social and economic goals”.

Attending the meeting were the board members of SmartCity Malta, including Mr. Deepak S. Padmanabhan, Mr. Fareed Abdulrahman, Mr. Claudio Grech and Mr. Todd Betts.

As part of SmartCity’s continuous commitment to promoting SmartCity Malta as a self-sustained township for the knowledge-based industry, SmartCity participated in the Business Park 2008 Exhibition, India’s only trade show for IT Parks in February. SmartCity Malta was showcased as the Mediterranean Hub for investment to organizations with a global voice and presence.