SmartCity Malta Phase One was launched yesterday and is now poised to attract business partners internationally to operate from Malta.
It will provide a unique experience for business and lifestyle alike, entailing a mix of components to cater for the knowledge-based township community’s needs such as office space, shopping boulevards and residential units.
Within SmartCity Malta Phase One, the majority of the space is dedicated to ICT and media office space – 20,034m² – providing a thoughtful environment, intelligent infrastructure and premium support services.
Attending the launch of SmartCity Malta Phase One yesterday evening were Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Minister Austin Gatt, Ahmad Bin Byat (executive chairman of TECOM Investment and chairman of SmartCity) and Fareed Abdulrahman (CEO of SmartCity and acting CEO of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi)
Ahmad Bin Byat commented: “SmartCity Malta will become significant hubs of excellence for knowledge-based industries in their respective regions. The SmartCity concept is based on the successful business models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village under the TECOM umbrella.
“Within the nine clusters of TECOM Investment Parks in Dubai, over 5,000 companies have set up their regional operations. With offices in China, the USA (California), the UAE (Dubai), India and other locations soon to follow, SmartCity has the ability to tap into international markets and further extend their partnership with existing associates for mutual expansion.”
In order for SmartCity Malta to support its business partners to its full potential,a local management team is being put together so that, in collaboration with SmartCity’s head-quarters’ team based in Dubai, they engage with leading IT and media firms who are interested in relocating their operations to SmartCity Malta.
In 2010, SmartCity Malta will be releasing ready-to-operate state-of-the-art office space with intelligent
infrastructure and picturesque
surroundings.
This will be followed by the supporting release of residential and retail spaces. The prominent emphasis of a balance between work and life will be evidently notable in view of the wide-ranging value added services and amenities that SmartCity Malta offers. From its breathtaking views of the one-kilometer stretch of sea front to its outstanding open spaces, lagoon and amphitheatre, SmartCity Malta will be a unique destination in the Mediterranean.
In the coming years, Ricasoli and the southeastern coast of the island will be transformed into the prime business township of Malta, featuring state-of-the-art ICT and media office space, shopping and dining boulevards, panoramic areas and freely accessible open spaces, hence transforming the location into a new attraction featuring attractive architecture and environmentally friendly landscaping features.
SmartCity Malta is not only the largest foreign investment in Malta, but is also the largest job-creator under one roof in Malta’s history. Over an eight-year period, SmartCity Malta is committed to creating 5,600 jobs –from jobs created in Malta’s knowledge-industry to new employment opportunities in areas of management, hospitality, retail, security and logistics, to name but a few.