The government and Tecom Investments yesterday sealed the SmartCity Malta agreements, initiating the realisation of a project which Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt described as “a very big feather in the country’s cap.”
Delivering a speech at the signing ceremony of the agreements at the Westin Dragonara Resort, Dr Gatt expressed satisfaction that Malta has been elected as the first European outpost for the SmartCity global venture.
He said the signing of the SmartCity agreements symbolically marked the end of a chapter in the country’s economic history and the beginning of a new one.
The minister said the country’s biggest challenge was to continue investing in the education sector. The growth of SmartCity Malta and others depended on training and preparation of young Maltese and ongoing learning for the entire community, said Dr Gatt, adding that some 700 students were currently in their first year of studies at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology.
He said he was confident that the educational institutions would train enough qualified staff who would be able to work at SmartCity Malta.
Dr Gatt said the unanimous agreement shown by the House of Representatives bore testimony to the fact that “we all want SmartCity for our country.”
He said that Malta had, time and again, been rated highly in the various EU and global ICT leagues and the country was extremely proud to be hosting its Dubai partners in their first European venture.
“We want to prove we deserve the confidence of our partners. We want to make a success of SmartCity Malta, because now that we have gained so much visibility on the world’s ICT map, we want to give those who notice us even more reason to do business with us.”
Tecom Investments executive chairman Ahmad Bin Byat, who presided the signing ceremony together with Minister Gatt, said the beginning of the strong partnership between Malta and Dubai was characterised by bright prospects and “we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with the industrious people of Malta.”
He said Tecom Investments was committed to Malta and this venture was only one part of so many areas where the two parties could work together and benefit from each other’s strengths.
Malta’s strategic location as a member of the European Union was a decisive factor for the establishment of the partnership, said Mr Bin Byat, adding that the high prevalence of an educated workforce in Malta was also an equally important factor.
“Our vision for SmartCity Malta is most definitely long term. There is great potential in an economic ecosystem that is designed to support the business development of knowledge-based industries targeting emerging markets in the region.
“The determination to grow, branch out and evolve will be a very visible feature of our partnership in SmartCity Malta and we are proud to be associated with a country like this, which has similar targets to ours in its model for economic growth.”
Mr Bin Byat referred to the demanding schedule for the development of SmartCity Malta’s infrastructure and the availability of construction companies, material and workers would be a crucial factor in this respect.
He said the first two years from the date the permit is issued would be characterised by heavy construction and it was during this time that the first potential clients were to be engaged.
Asked what the country was to expect of the first SmartCity Malta client, Mr Bin Byat said the project would need to make a big impact and gain a certain level of credibility, so the first client would definitely be a multinational company.
Replying to a question regarding strict timelines for construction, Minister Gatt said the project’s planning development statement was presented to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on Friday. He said there would not be any need to short-circuit any regulations to speed up the process.
Dr Gatt said certain major costs would include the relocation of the sewage system and the electrical distribution at Ricasoli.
The delegation from Dubai included Tecom Investments CEO Abdullatif Al Mulla and SmartCity executive director Fareed Abdulrahman.
Leo Brincat, Labour’s main spokesperson for foreign affairs and IT, said the national interest was the most important factor for the Labour Party and he hoped that SmartCity Malta would truly generate the promised number of jobs within the stipulated time frame.
Mr Brincat added that it must be ensured that as long as there were enough qualified Maltese people, they must be given first preference with regard to employment.
Mr Bin Byat and the delegation from Dubai later called on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at the Auberge de Castille. Minister Gatt was also present to welcome the delegation.
They expressed pride and satisfaction over the partnership that the two parties would be entering into and predicted that SmartCity Malta would be a successful enterprise for the common good.