Officials of Dubai Internet City will hold extensive talks with counterparts in the south Indian state of Kerala on reviving the stalled SmartCity project in Kochi.

The new government, led by V.S. Achuthanandan, stalled the project that will help Kerala benefit from Dubai’s expertise by bringing in investment and boost employment in India’s most literate state.

Following an invitation from the government of Kerala, a DIC team left for the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram last week to hold discussions on the SmartCity Kochi project.

DIC, the Gulf’s answer to Silicon Valley, has created the region’s largest IT park in Dubai, as part of the government’s strategy to transform the area into a knowledge-based economy

The DIC is expanding its expertise by setting up similar parks in other countries, including Malta. As part of its strategic international expansion, it is seeking to create a global network of industry business campuses. SmartCity Kochi is planned to be a key part of this network.

In March, the DIC signed an agreement with the Government of Malta to establish SmartCity Malta, a $308 million business park for knowledge-based companies.

The DIC is also in discussions with various other cities in India to establish business campuses that will be part of its global network.