The new head of SmartCity Dubai, Abdullatif AlMulla, today reiterated SmartCity Dubai’s commitment to the successful execution of SmartCity Malta during a meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Mr AlMulla said: “We are completely committed to the SmartCity Malta project and we intend to continue meeting the requirements stipulated in our agreement with the Government of Malta as per the deed of emphyteusis in 2007.
“Last year, SmartCity made a direct investment of €35 million in SmartCity Malta, which now brings up the company’s investment to €70 million, confirming the company’s commitment to the Malta project.
“During the course of this year, SmartCity Malta will have five completed buildings including three office buildings, two retail blocks, a grand fountain and a lagoon.”
“We also intend to strengthen SmartCity Malta operations by increasing the level of autonomy and independence within the Malta office. The management in Malta will be empowered to make key decisions and senior executive level appointments will be announced in the coming weeks,” Mr AlMulla said.
The Prime Minister reiterated the new government’s commitment to give a new impetus to SmartCity Malta so as to reach its objectives.
Dr Muscat welcomed the new commitment, as declared by the new head of Smart City Dubai, in favour of more autonomy within SmartCity Malta.
HE stressed that his government will encourage global investment in the ICT business in a bid to give Malta’s IT sector a wider international vision.
Dr Muscat pledged utmost co-operation for the success of SmartCity Malta. The Prime Minister said that “this government has a strong mandate to translate the investment made into the creation of jobs. We believe that having a digital economy is an important instrument for economic growth to everyone’s benefit”.
The chief of staff at the OPM, Keith Schembri, has been appointed board member of SmartCity Malta.
Mr AlMulla will personally lead all SmartCity initiatives and work closely with the local SmartCity Malta team to ensure its success. With his previous experience as the Group CEO of TECOM Investments since 2005, he was instrumental in the development of 11 business parks across five clusters in Dubai.
The 11 business parks attract close to 50,000 knowledge workers, with the renowned Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village alone attracting nearly 35,000 of these knowledge workers.
Apart from being responsible for heading the SmartCity projects, Mr AlMulla is also the Chief Business Development Officer at Dubai Holding. Prior to joining TECOM, Mr AlMulla was General Manager of Microsoft South Gulf. He brings with him his vast expertise in developing and managing knowledge clusters including the ICT sector.