SmartCity Malta ‘Open for Business’
Malta, June 14, 2008
Following months since the signing of the final agreement between SmartCity and the Government of Malta, in April, 2007, SmartCity Malta Phase One was launched and is now attracting business partners internationally to operate from Malta.
[From left to right] Fareed Abdulrahman (SmartCity CEO), His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat (Executive Chairman of TECOM Investment and Chairman of SmartCity), Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tonio Borg, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Dr Austin Gatt, Deepak Padmanabhan (SmartCity Malta Chairman).
The SmartCity Malta Phase One launch was honoured with a ceremony, presided over by the Prime Minister of Malta and held on-site at SmartCity Malta. The event was attended by over 500 guests including Ministers, Ambassadors, government officials, Maltese and international ICT and media industry drivers.
SmartCity Malta Phase One will provide a unique experience for business and lifestyle alike, entailing a mix of components to cater for the knowledge-based township community’s needs such as office space, shopping boulevards and residential units. Within SmartCity Malta Phase One, the majority of the space is dedicated to ICT and media office space – an impressive 20,034 sqm – providing a thoughtful environment, intelligent infrastructure and premium support services. This exceptional blend of business and lifestyle is what distinguishes SmartCity Malta as the prevalent destination for local, regional and international companies to set up their operations catering to the European and North African markets.
SmartCity Malta is a joint venture between the Government of Malta and SmartCity. From concept initiation, through to the master plan design and now to the launch of SmartCity Malta Phase One, both parties have seen eye to eye. The realisation of SmartCity Malta has come about by the complementary vision of both parties – SmartCity’s vision being to create a global network of self-sustained business townships to foster the knowledge-economy, while the Government strives towards its strong ICT vision for Malta to be renowned as the ‘Smart Island’. Based on this experience, both SmartCity and the Government are confident and fully committed to the success of SmartCity Malta.
Attending the launch of SmartCity Malta Phase One were: Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Austin Gatt, His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat (Executive Chairman of TECOM Investment and Chairman of SmartCity), Abdullatif AlMulla (Group CEO of TECOM Investments and a Board member of SmartCity) and Fareed Abdulrahman (CEO of SmartCity and acting CEO of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi) all of whom were highly enthusiastic and pleased on the occasion.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said, “It is of satisfaction for my Government and I to participate at this announcement that confirms that the implementation of SmartCity is moving according to its own ambitious time frames. Their energy has been met by our enthusiasm. All stakeholders in Malta have quickly appreciated the importance of this project. We have all pulled on the same rope because of our shared belief and commitment to SmartCity Malta. I urge everyone involved to do everything in their power to see this effort through.”
His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat commented, “It is an honour to be launching SmartCity Malta. We envisage that SmartCity Malta, and all SmartCity entities, will become significant hubs of excellence for knowledge-based industries in their respective regions. The SmartCity concept is based on the successful business models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village under the TECOM umbrella.”
“Within the 9 clusters of TECOM Investment Parks in Dubai, over 5,000 companies have set up their regional operations. With offices in China, USA (California), UAE (Dubai), India, and other locations soon to follow, SmartCity has the ability to tap into the international markets and further extend their partnership with existing associates for mutual expansion,” His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat continued.
Minister Dr Austin Gatt said, “Malta and its new global clients rely on our educational institutions to complete the success in our effort to truly become an ICT centre of excellence. I call upon all leaders in the educational and business communities here to renew the national effort to prepare well as many of our young people as possible for the opportunity being built in Rika
On the occasion, Fareed Abdulrahman commented, “We are excited about the future and great prospects of SmartCity Malta. We ensure the success of our business partners through our committed vision to develop a unique destination for all businesses providing reliable infrastructure and exceptional customer service.”
In order for SmartCity Malta to support its business partners to its full potential, a local management team is being put together so that, in collaboration with SmartCity’s head-quarters’ team based in Dubai, they engage with leading IT and media firms who are interested in relocating their operations to SmartCity Malta. The combined group support of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity’s head-quarters – who have a proven track record with the success of attracting international companies to the thriving models that are Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village – is a key ingredient for the complete success of the township.
In 2010, SmartCity Malta will be releasing ready-to-operate state-of-the-art office space with intelligent infrastructure and picturesque surroundings. This will be followed by the supporting release of residential and retail spaces. The prominent emphasis of a balance between work and life will be evidently notable in view of the wide-ranging value added services and amenities that SmartCity Malta offers. From its breathtaking views of the 1 kilometer Mediterranean sea-front stretch, to its outstanding open spaces, lagoon and amphitheatre, SmartCity Malta will be a unique destination in the Mediterranean.
In the coming years, Ricasoli and the south-eastern coast of the island will be transformed into the prime business township of Malta, featuring state-of-the-art ICT and media office space, shopping and dining boulevards, panoramic areas and freely accessible open spaces, hence transforming the location into a new attraction featuring attractive architecture and environmental-friendly landscaping features.
SmartCity Malta is not only the largest foreign investment in Malta, but it also is the largest job-creator under one roof in Malta’s history. Over an eight year period, SmartCity Malta is committed to creating 5,600 jobs – spanning from jobs created in Malta’s knowledge-industry, to new employment opportunities in areas of management, hospitality, retail, security and logistics to name but a few.
