SmartCity board approves development plans

The directors of SmartCity Malta have approved the project's marketing strategies and development plans, all of which are in parallel with Malta's long-term ICT vision, the company said.

SmartCity Malta is described as part of a global network of self-sustained townships for the knowledge-based industry.

The board of directors approved the master plan to be submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The plan comprises 85 acres of land projected to host 5,600 knowledge workers.

In line with its project development schedule, SmartCity Malta has identified potential target sectors and companies that would enjoy SmartCity Malta's infrastructure, environment and support systems.

In accordance with SmartCity's business plan, the job creation plan was also discussed to create maximum opportunities for all ICT knowledge workers locally, regionally and internationally.

The board took note of the strong international interest shown in the project over the last months, with the first anchor clients expected to be announced over the coming months.

The board also noted with great satisfaction that the government had launched the Government Services Unit and had concluded a significant number of service level agreements with various government departments and public sector entities.

Fareed Abdulrahman, executive director of SmartCity and a board member of SmartCity Malta and Kochi, expressed his appreciation for Malta's support in the SmartCity Malta project and on his certainty that "Malta will be the preferred ICT and media destination in the Mediterranean region".

Mr Abdulrahman added that the "synergy between SmartCity and the government of Malta is an exemplary model of how the public and private sectors can collaborate towards the attainment of the common social and economic goals".

Attending the meeting were the board members of SmartCity Malta, including Deepak S. Padmanabhan, Fareed Abdulrahman, Claudio Grech and Todd Betts.

SmartCity last month took part in the Business Park 2008 Exhibition, India's only trade show for IT Parks. It was showcased as the Mediterranean hub for investment to organisations with a global voice and presence, the company said.