SmartCity Malta Board of Directors Eager to Start the Realisation of SmartCity

SmartCity Malta Board of Directors registered the impressive response and market interest received from Maltese, regional and international companies looking to relocate their operations to SmartCity Malta. This will, in turn, lead to the creation of quality job opportunities for ICT and media knowledge-workers and professionals. The Board emphasised that all these positive steps secured to date, were a reflection of the successful public-private partnership that is SmartCity Malta.

This was stated by the Board when it convened today to discuss the current status and subsequent steps of the project following the success of SmartCity Malta Phase One launch ceremony held in Ricasoli on Saturday (June 14).

SmartCity Malta, a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Malta, is part of a global network of self-sustained knowledge-based townships. SmartCity Malta is dedicated to the success of its business partners and the realisation of the knowledge-economy vision of Malta.

Following the internationally acclaimed launch of SmartCity Malta last Saturday, today the Board of Directors held extensive discussion regarding the construction of Phase One. The focus was primarily on the aspects related to the development of the infrastructure, health and safety frameworks, and the measures to be adopted to ensure that SmartCity Malta is developed in a sustainable fashion, not the least by the implementation of environment-friendly practices.

Another key decision made by the Board was the appointment of Claudio Grech as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for SmartCity Malta. On his appointment, Grech commented: "I am very privileged and honoured to be appointed to lead such a diversified and challenging project. I have today assured both shareholders that I will deliver my task to the best of my abilities, within the context of national aspirations for the ICT sector."

A new board member of SmartCity Malta was appointed. John Gatt, who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, will be replacing Mr Grech as the Board Member appointed by Government.

Fareed Abdulrahman, CEO of SmartCity, stressed SmartCity's commitment to the mutual long-term vision of SmartCity and the Government of Malta stating that "SmartCity Malta will not only be developed in an environmentally sustainable manner, but it will also generate sustainable investments from local, regional and international business partners".

SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi are the first two projects to be part of the global network of knowledge-based industry townships that SmartCity seeks to develop. This global network will foster productive linkages and tap synergies between knowledge-industry centres worldwide, thereby contributing to economic development.