The government of Kerala and SmartCity (a joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai) yesterday signed the final agreements to establish SmartCity Kochi at a ceremony held in Trivandrum, capital of the Indian State Kerala.

SmartCity Kochi will attract an investment of about $350 million. It is estimated to have a built-up space of 8.8 million square feet. Kochi will join Malta as the first two members of a global network of knowledge-based industry townships that SmartCity seeks to create.

Last month, SmartCity signed an agreement with the government of Malta to establish SmartCity Malta, a business township to be located in Ricasoli.

SmartCity Kochi will be one of India’s largest business parks. Covering one million square metres of land, the project will create an infrastructure and environment for knowledge-industry companies – primarily IT and media-related firms – to grow and flourish, based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City.

SmartCity Kochi will bring about new employment opportunities in knowledge-based industries as well as in the areas of administration, hospitality, consultancy, construction, tourism, retail and logistics, among others.