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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Tecom successfully launched Smartcity Malta

Even as the stalemate over Kerala's mega IT infrastructure project SmartCity Kochi gets more complex, Tecom, the enstranged investment partner of the project, has successfully launched a similar project in Malta.

SmartCity Malta (SCM) was inaugurated in Ricasoli by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on Sunday with the chief executive officer of Dubai Holding Ahmad Bin Byat and Tecom Investment Group's CEO Abdullatif Al Mulla also present.

The first phase of SCM will have 12,000 sqm of office space targeted at international, regional and local companies, according to a company release.

Meanwhile, the fate of SmartCity Kochi project hangs in the balance with the state government and Tecom each sticking to their positions.

The state government had issued an ultimatum to Tecom in June with a view to terminate the contract with the Dubai company and ultimately to expel it from the project. The government had prepared the letter after hectic legal consultations in order to avoid loopholes in it.

In a recent reply to the letter, Tecom has said that it has a real interest in commencing the project and has no plans to back out of it. The state fisheries minister and chairman of the joint venture company between the Kerala government and Tecom, S Sharma said that the cabinet would discuss the reply and take an appropriate decision.

From the events so far, it is clear that the government's intention is to end its association with Tecom. The minister said that Tecom had only business interests in the project, and that the Dubai company was deliberately exploiting the interest of the people of Kerala in the project.

The differences between the two partners centre on Tecom's demand for a freehold of 12 per cent of the total 240 acres of the project site with a right to sell. Sharma said this was against the framework agreement between the government and Tecom, and the government could not accept this additional condition.

Since the state is now election mode with local body elections set for October 23 and 25, a decision on the reply sent by Tecom is expected only after the elections. Interestingly, this is a hot issue in the campaigns of both LDF and UDF, particularly in Ernakulam district.

Smart City Malta Work in progress

SmartCity Malta has achieved notable progress in the construction of SCM01.

The foundation and retaining structure works at SCM01 have been completed and SmartCity Malta is now engaged in the construction of the super-structure. Aligned with this structural progress, the façade works have also commenced with the appointed local contractor.

SCM01 is the first SmartCity building in Phase One currently under construction. It will consist of 12,000 square meters of ready-to-use Grade A offices to be completed and handed over to the first business partners by 2010, as scheduled.

SmartCity Malta has submitted its application to MEPA for the site-wide grading permit for all phases of the self-sustained business township which will cover the lagoon, shopping boulevard and the residential area. The tender for the site-wide grading has also been issued and grading works are expected to commence shortly.

SmartCity Malta has further invested in an extensive value-engineering exercise to maximise the efficiency of the design and implementation of the entire project. This has resulted in drastic volumetric reductions of excavated earthwork material which is recycled and rehabilitated on the site. By conducting such exercises SmartCity Malta continues to follow sound building practices.

The planning and construction works at SmartCity Malta are shaping up at a fast pace and the building structure is on target according to plan.

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SmartCity promotes Kochi and Malta at GITEX 2008

At GITEX 2008, SmartCity, a joint venture between TECOM and Sama Dubai, both members of Dubai Holding, is presenting landmark status updates of its current projects in Kochi and Malta.

SmartCity is actively marketing the development of knowledge based communities, like SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi, to senior CIOs, knowledge workers and IT professionals from some of the Middle East’s most dynamic business and government organisations, as well as developers from the world’s leading IT companies.

Held in Dubai, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2008 builds upon the global interest in the Middle East’s ICT landscape by presenting a power-packed week of dedicated trade segments, which includes GITEX Business Solutions, GULFCOMMS and Consumer Electronics. Focusing on the region’s fastest growing sectors – these three distinct, yet closely related segments, deliver focused forums for key buyers and decision-makers from across the region.

On Tuesday 21st October, Claudio Grech, SmartCity Malta CEO, will be delivering a presentation to a series of potential regional operators, explaining how SmartCity Malta is set to become the European ICT and Media destination offering unparalleled services to its partners in the first knowledge-based township in the region.

Commenting on the developments, Fareed Abdulrahman, SmartCity CEO said: “SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi are the first two nodes in a top-tier global network of excellence townships. In the next few years, both of these SmartCity entities will open up a world of opportunities not only for the people of Malta and Kerala, who will benefit from new jobs, but also for the knowledge-based industry that will now have access new markets, talent pools and business partners. This will create prosperous and educated societies underpinned by long-term and extensive networks of life and work opportunities.”

SmartCity aims to create a global network of self-sustained business townships to foster knowledge-based businesses in strategically located destinations worldwide. These townships will harness commerce by providing an environment conducive to business, intelligent infrastructure and advanced support systems. SmartCity entities worldwide, will be home to a vibrant knowledge economy anchored by international, regional and local companies. The SmartCity strategy is based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.
SmartCity Malta, developed in partnership with the Government of Malta, has just received permits to begin construction from the Malta Environment and Planning authority (MEPA) and is set to become the leading ICT and media cluster in the heart of the Mediterranean. It will also be the first European outpost of the SmartCity global network. On completion, which is expected to be in 2021, SmartCity Malta will offer a combination of ICT and media office space, hotels, a conference centre, retail, food and beverage outlets, residential units and open public spaces. The USD300 million knowledge based township, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, is the largest foreign investment in Malta and is expected to create 5,600 jobs.

SmartCity Kochi is a joint venture between SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, on a site of 246 acres in the rapidly expanding Southern Indian state of Kerala. SmartCity Kochi is currently undergoing the necessary procedures to obtain the SEZ notification from the Authorities. Construction will commence when full approvals are received. SmartCity Kochi will eventually become a regional destination for knowledge-based industries in Kerala. SmartCity Kochi will also host a number of business support services as well as residential, hospitality, retail and recreational facilities. The project has an employment generation potential of 90,000 jobs.

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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.

Smart City Malta Model

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Also See

• Smart City Corporate Video


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Malta Prime Minister to unveil SmartCity model in Dubai

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Minister for IT & Investment Austin Gatt are heading a government delegation that leaves today on a two-day official visit to Dubai.

At a presentation that will be made at the Dubai Internet City Zone’s stand at the Gitex Technology Week, the largest information technology trade event in the region and one of the major annual IT events in the world, Dr Gonzi will unveil a model of SmartCity Malta tomorrow.

Dr Gonzi will give details of the biggest foreign investment the island has ever seen. The project is expected to create 5,600 jobs over eight years and promises to transform the derelict Ricasoli Industrial Estate into a state-of-the-art ICT and media business community.

The SmartCity Malta model shows how the project will actually look once it is completed. The model will illustrate in detail how the various components drawn up in the master plan agreed to between the government and SmartCity Malta will take shape.

Meanwhile, SmartCity, a new global company that seeks to develop a worldwide network of self-sustained industry townships for knowledge-based companies, based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, launched its global corporate identity yesterday.

SmartCity’s logo reflects its global network and its vast future growth opportunities. All its international projects will incorporate this logo into their own brand identities.

A joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, SmartCity is currently developing SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi, knowledge-based industry townships based in Malta and the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is also examining several other locations with a view to developing similar knowledge-based clusters.

SmartCity projects will bring significant economic benefits both through direct development and indirect multiplier effects. SmartCity Kochi, set to be one of India’s largest knowledge-industry parks, has the potential of generating more than 90,000 jobs.

Based on the successful cluster models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, each SmartCity project will provide a state-of-the-art business-community infrastructure for knowledge-based companies. In addition, it will also provide a one-stop-shop of business support services and a range of retail, hospitality, and residential and recreational facilities.

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Also See

• Smart City Corporate Video


• Smart City Malta Model [3D Artists Impressions]


• BACK to HOME

New corporate identity for Smart City in Malta

Smart City Malta is a planned technology park to be constructed in Kalkara, Malta. The plan is to transform the Ricasoli Industrial Estate into a state-of-the-art information technology and media city on the models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. The project will cost at least 275 million Euros. The whole development, which covers an area of 350,000 square meters, is to be fully completed in 2021.

On Saturday, the new corporate identity for SmartCity was launched at the Gitex Technology Week at the Dubai Internet City Community Zone. The logo reflects the international network and opportunities that the Smart City can offer for future development. All Smart City international logos, including Smart City Malta, will bear the new logo.

Smart City Malta, which promises to transform Ricasoli Industrial Estate into a state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and media business community, is expected to create 5,600 jobs over eight years. Meanwhile Smart City Kochi in India has the potential to generate over 9,000 occupations.

SmartCity Malta is the first overseas export of SmartCity brand that emerged from Dubai Internet and Media Cities in the United Arab Emirates. It will also be the first European outpost of the SmartCity concept synergising the advantages of Malta’s European Union membership with Dubai’s revolutionary record in the ICTs and Media businesses.

Smart City is made up of TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai. The company is currently examining other countries for developments of similar cities.

Present for the logo launch ceremony were Sheik Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Vice Head and Minister of Finance and Industry for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ahmad Bin Byat, TECOM Investments Executive Chairman, Farhan Faraidooni, Dubai Executive Chairman, Abdullatif Al Mulla, TECOM Investments Executive Head and Fareed Abdulrahman, SmartCity Executive Director.


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Also See

• Smart City Corporate Video


• Smart City Malta Model [3D Artists Impressions]


• BACK to HOME