SmartCity Malta Open for Business

SmartCity Malta Phase One was launched over the weekend and is now attracting business partners internationally to operate from Malta.

The SmartCity Malta Phase One launch ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister of Malta, Lawrence Gonzi, and held on-site at SmartCity Malta. The event was attended by over 500 guests including Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, government officials, Maltese and international ICT and media industry drivers.

SmartCity Malta Phase One 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, 20,034sq.m., providing a thoughtful environment, intelligent infrastructure and premium support services. This exceptional blend of business and lifestyle is what distinguishes SmartCity Malta as the prevalent destination for local, regional and international companies to set up their operations catering to the European and North African markets.

SmartCity Malta is a joint venture between the Government of Malta and SmartCity. From concept initiation, through to the master plan design and now to the launch of SmartCity Malta Phase One, both parties have seen eye to eye. The realisation of SmartCity Malta has come about by the complementary vision of both parties – SmartCity’s vision being to create a global network of self-sustained business townships to foster the knowledge-economy, while the government strives towards its strong ICT vision for Malta to be renowned as the “Smart Island”. Based on this experience, both SmartCity and the government are confident and fully committed to the success of SmartCity Malta.

Attending the launch of SmartCity Malta Phase One were Dr Gonzi, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, 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.

Mr Bin Byat said that it is envisaged that SmartCity Malta and all SmartCity entities, 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, USA (California), UAE (Dubai), India, and other locations soon to follow, SmartCity has the ability to tap into the international markets and further extend their partnership with existing associates for mutual expansion,” said Mr Bin Byat.

Dr Gatt said that Malta and its new global clients rely on educational institutions to complete the success in the island’s effort to become an ICT centre of excellence. “I call upon all leaders in the educational and business communities here to renew the national effort to prepare well as many of our young people as possible for the opportunity being built in Ricasoli.”

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 headquarters’ team based in Dubai, they engage with leading IT and media firms who are interested in relocating their operations to SmartCity Malta. The combined group support of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity’s headquarters – who have a proven track record with the success of attracting international companies to the thriving models that are Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village – is a key ingredient for the complete success of the township.

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 kilometre Mediterranean sea-front stretch, 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 south-eastern 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 environmental-friendly landscaping features.

SmartCity Malta is not only the largest foreign investment in Malta, but 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 – spanning 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.

(As published on Malta Business Weekly)