SmartCity Malta Expresses Satisfaction for Approval of Development Applications

Malta, October 6, 2008

SmartCity Malta expressed its satisfaction for the approval of two development applications by the Malta Planning and Environment Authority (MEPA) in connection with SmartCity Malta. The two applications were for an outline development permit for the construction of SmartCity Malta, at Ricasoli and the construction of the first state-of-the-art office block – SCMO1.

In fact today, MEPA approved the issuance of an outline development permit for the following uses:

• ICT and Media office space 158,830 sqm
• Hotels and conference centre 73,500 sqm
• Retail, Food and Beverage and commercial spaces 18,170 sqm
• Residential units 62,730 sqm
• Open public spaces 150,628 sqm

MEPA also approved the issuance of the full development permit for the state-of-the-art ICT and Media building SCMO1, which is poised to be one of the most sophisticated office buildings available in Malta. This building will be offering 12,018 sqm of top-tier office space, with the first tenants moving in 2010.

During the Board Meeting held this morning, SmartCity Malta expressed its gratitude to all those who have contributed to the successful closure of the planning process of the project starting with the Mayors, Local Councils and residents of the three neighbouring localities of Kalkara, Xghajra and Zabbar

SmartCity Malta’s CEO, Claudio Grech, said that “this is another important step in the transformation of Ricasoli into SmartCity Malta and the southern side of Malta into the major ICT and media destination in the region.” Fareed Abdulrahman, SmartCity’s CEO extended his thanks to the “Government of Malta, MEPA and all the concerned organisations for their support in processing the applications which, due to their magnitude, were challenging and demanding on all those involved.”