Attended by over 500 guests, including ministers, MPs, diplomats, government officials, Maltese and international ICT and media industry drivers, a ceremony launching the first phase of Smart City Malta was held yesterday evening at the same Ricasoli site where the project is being developed.
The realisation of SmartCity has come about by the complementary vision of both the government and the Tecom-owned SmartCity, in a bid to create a self-sustained business township to foster the knowledge-economy.
Within ‘SmartCity Malta Phase One’, the majority of space – just above 20,000 sqm – is dedicated to ICT and media office space.
Addressing guests at the launching ceremony were Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications Austin Gatt, Tecom and SmartCity Chairman Ahmad bin Byat and SmartCity CEO Fareed Abdulrahman.
“All stakeholders in Malta have quickly appreciated the importance of this project,” Gonzi said in his address. “We have all pulled the same rope because of our shared belief and commitment to SmartCity Malta. I urge everyone involved to do everything in their power to see this effort through.”
On his part, bin Byat commented: “We envisage 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.”
By the year 2010, SmartCity in 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.