HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid launches SmartCity's global corporate identity

The launch ceremony was held at the DIC Community Zone at GITEX Technology Week 2007, the premier information technology industry trade show in the Middle East. It was attended by Ahmad Bin Byat, Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments, Farhan Faraidooni, Executive Chairman of Sama Dubai, Abdullatif Al Mulla, CEO of TECOM Investments, and Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity.

SmartCity's logo reflects its global network and its vast future growth opportunities. All its international projects will incorporate this logo into their own brand identities.

A joint venture between TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, SmartCity is currently developing SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi, knowledge-based industry townships based in Malta and the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is also examining several other locations with a view to developing similar knowledge-based clusters.

Ahmad Bin Byat, Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments, said:

'SmartCity promises to make a significant contribution to the development of knowledge-based industries across the world. Its projects have the potential to stimulate tremendous growth by opening new development avenues for knowledge-based companies, knowledge workers and local governments.'

SmartCity projects will bring significant economic benefits both through direct development and indirect multiplier effects. SmartCity Malta, the largest ever foreign direct investment in that country's ICT and media sectors, is expected to generate over 5,600 jobs. SmartCity Kochi, set to be one of India's largest knowledge-industry parks, has the potential of generating more than 90,000 jobs.

Farhan Faraidooni, Executive Chairman of Sama Dubai, said: 'SmartCity provides a unique model for creating knowledge-based industry clusters. Its environment, infrastructure and support systems will nurture knowledge-based businesses while the integrated global network will give them tremendous competitive advantage by enabling them to harness huge growth synergies.'

Based on the successful cluster models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, each SmartCity project will provide a state-of-the-art business-community infrastructure for knowledge-based companies. In addition, it will also provide a one-stop-shop of business support services and a range of retail, hospitality, residential and recreational facilities.

Abdullatif Al Mulla, CEO of TECOM Investments, said: 'Through SmartCity, TECOM clusters like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village can enhance their international reach and provide a wider global offering for their business partners. SmartCity also offers new global linkages and channels which support the growth of TECOM clusters and business partners. Through SmartCity, we also seek to be the preferred business-park provider for our business partners in other parts of the world,' he added.

Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity, said: 'SmartCity projects will provide the ideal conditions for knowledge-based companies and knowledge workers to flourish. Locating in a SmartCity enables a company to eliminate operational hassles and focus on its core competencies. Furthermore, its harmonious environment facilitates a work-life balance, helping companies to attract and retain talent.'