SmartCity Malta has Ambitious Growth Plans for its ICT and Media Cluster

Malta, March 19, 2009

“SmartCity Malta has ambitious growth plans for the development of its ICT and media cluster in Malta. This was corroborated by intensive market research which SmartCity Malta has conducted that confirmed that SmartCity Malta is ideally positioned to attract a wide range of players in the targeted industries of ICT and media. Moreover, as SmartCity Malta seeks to establish itself as the leading knowledge-based industry destination in the Mediterranean, we re-affirm that human capital is the primary resource which underpins the success of this industry, not the least in the media sector” said Claudio Grech, SmartCity Malta CEO.

This was announced today by SmartCity Malta during the renewal of the Malta Journalism Awards’ sponsorship for the e-journalism category. This is the third consecutive year that the self-sustained township based at Ricasoli is sponsoring the Malta Journalism Awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM).

The e-Journalism Award recognises the particularly important role of Maltese news-driven websites, which have become an important and essential source of information for Maltese citizens, whether they are living in Malta, permanently residing in another country, or temporarily abroad. The category rewards those e-journalists in Malta who strive harder to deliver correct information to an ever increasing number of readers.

Photo signing cheque with SCM CEO, Claudio Grech.

“Journalism and related new media activities are a good strategic fit for SmartCity Malta – this is the primary rationale for our sponsorship which aims at encouraging local e-journalists to seek excellence in their activity. In fact, this sponsorship forms part of SmartCity Malta’s commitment to encourage and contribute towards the development of talent in knowledge-based sectors,” said Claudio Grech, SmartCity Malta CEO.

Commenting on the renewal of the sponsorship, IGM Chairman Malcolm J. Naudi said: “With its stated aim to develop and manage a knowledge industry township here in Malta serving the entire region and as a gateway to the European Union, it is fitting that SmartCity Malta should agree to renew its sponsorship of the e-journalism category of the 2009 Malta Journalism Awards. The Institute is pleased with their professional approach, and we are happy to welcome them on board for this year’s edition.”

With an investment outlay equivalent to US $300 million, SmartCity Malta will transform Malta into a state-of-the-art ICT and Media business community based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. Being developed by SmartCity in partnership with the Government of Malta, SmartCity Malta will be home to a vibrant knowledge-economy community anchored by leading global, regional and local organisations.

SmartCity Malta is the largest ever foreign direct investment in the ICT and media sectors ever made in Malta. SmartCity Malta will create the infrastructure to develop a self-sustaining knowledge-based township comprising office space, residential and lifestyle amenities.