SmartCity Malta Promoted at Milan Chamber of Commerce

Malta, April 23, 2009

SmartCity Malta was promoted during an international event organized in Milan, Italy by the Milan Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Malta Enterprise and Promos – the entity within the Milan Chamber of Commerce responsible for the internationalisation of small and medium sized businesses. The event entitled, “Malta an island of opportunity,” gathered top representatives from over 50 distinct organizations from the region of Lombardia, who have shown interest in better understanding the opportunities available to Italian firms to set-up operations in Malta.

During his presentation, SmartCity Malta CEO, Mr. Claudio Grech provided an overview of SmartCity Malta and the vision of the company in creating a global network of self-sustained knowledge based townships. More specifically, Mr. Grech explained how SmartCity Malta was leveraging the success of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village to provide an unparalleled opportunity to local, regional and international firms to set-up operations in a unique township in the heart of the Mediterranean. Mr. Grech also mentioned how Malta through the development of SmartCity Malta could really become the stepping stone for Italian firms trying to access the Middle Eastern, North African and Indian markets, especially in the ICT, IT and media-related industries.

Mr. Grech also highlighted the niche segments that SmartCity Malta was focusing on. “SmartCity Malta leverages on the intrinsic advantages of Malta one of the most connected countries in the world to create a unique business destination for IT Business Services firms, iGaming operators and platform providers, ICT-Education Academies and firms looking for a lower cost outsourcing base,” commented Mr. Grech. “The aggregation of knowledge-based companies will create the first-of-its kind business district in Malta along the South Eastern coast of Malta, similar to the successful clusters developed by Tecom Investments in Dubai.”

Senior representatives from Malta Enterprise and Finance Malta had the opportunity to explain in detail the benefits derived by Italian firms in setting-up operations in Malta including amongst others Investment Aid, Training Grants and Malta’s unique full imputation tax system.

The attendees of the seminar were also addressed by top delegates of Italian Associations such as ASSINFORM (Italian Association for Information Technology), ASSINTEL (Association for Small ICT businesses) a number of Italian testimonials that have already set-up operations in Malta and the representative for the region of Lombardia in Europe.

During the seminar Malta was represented by his Excellency Mr. Walter Balzan the Ambassador for Malta in Italy.