TECOM inaugurate first office building at SmartCity Malta

TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, has achieved a major milestone with the official inauguration of the first office building (SCM01) at SmartCity Malta. The dedicated IT business park is TECOM Investments' first overseas venture undertaken by SmartCity, TECOM Investments' international business parks developer.

Among those attending the inauguration were Malta's Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt, Dubai Holding CEO Ahmad Bin Byat, TECOM Investments' Group CEO Abdullatif AlMulla, and SmartCity Chief Executive Officer Fareed Abdulrahman.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Gonzi said: "We are today witnessing the beginning of a renaissance for Malta and for our economy. SCM01 is yet another symbol of Malta's investment attractiveness, strong economic fundamentals and potential. This is the realisation of a dream. A dream that sees Malta become a regional and global player in ICT."

The SmartCity Malta model is based on TECOM Investments' successful business parks, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.

Bin Byat said SmartCity Malta is a testimony to the strong bond that exists between TECOM Investments and the Maltese government. He added: "Our joint intention is to develop SmartCity Malta into a major new centre of excellence for knowledge based companies. I believe SmartCity Malta will make a significant contribution to Malta's economy, by opening up new development avenues, specifically in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors."

The delivery of the 12,000 square metres of office space, three years after the announcement of the ambitious project, marks the end of the first phase of the construction of SmartCity Malta.

AlMulla said: "This is the first international project to become operational for TECOM Investments. I am confident this is the first of many projects we will launch worldwide. SmartCity Malta will help to facilitate UAE-based companies expansion into Europe, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."

SmartCity Malta is the centerpiece of Malta's transformation from an old economy based on low-cost manufacturing to a new economy based on information and communication technology (ICT). It will generate 5,600 jobs and create more than 105,000 sq m of office space for ICT, media companies and related services.

The entire development is designed to enable knowledge-based companies to maximize their growth potential. While companies will benefit from high-quality infrastructure and support systems, knowledge workers will gain an ideal environment to work, network, and exchange ideas and industry information.

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