A master plan model of SmartCity Malta is expected to be the main attraction at the ITEX 2007, which Industry, Investments and IT Minister Austin Gatt inaugurated yesterday. He said the IT student population was burgeoning.

In 2003 there were 392 new students, this year the number was 1,336.

The number of graduates had risen from 288 in 2003 to 607 this year.

The number of students studying IT in 2003 was 712, this year there were 2,269.

Dr Gatt said he was sure that the 3,600 IT jobs at SmartCity would be filled by Maltese.

Dr Gatt also spoke of the need for Malta to have the best connection possible through the internet with the rest of the world, so the government would be helping every initiative which improved Malta’s connection.

He also hoped for increased broadband penetration.

ITEX 2007 is being held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali.