The project is being developed by Dubai-based SmartCity in partnership with the government of Kerala.
The ceremony, held at the SmartCity Kochi site in Kakkanad, Kochi, was attended by over 5,000 guests including ministers, government officials and business leaders.
The Chief Minister of Kerala, V. S. Achuthanandan said: "The SmartCity Kochi project is at the forefront of Kerala's aspirations to develop into a knowledge-based economy. With its world-class infrastructure, environment and support systems, SmartCity Kochi forms part of the key building blocks necessary for the state's knowledge-based industry growth. In this respect, the project's foundation stone ceremony is a significant occasion in the economic transformation of the state."
To be developed by SmartCity, the joint venture company formed by TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, both members of Dubai Holding, SmartCity Kochi will be one of India's largest business parks. The project is based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.
The government of Kerala has transferred 246 acres of land to SmartCity as part of the agreement signed in May this year. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, offering multiple benefits. With the potential to create 90,000 jobs, SmartCity Kochi will be a vibrant community anchored by leading global, regional and local names in the industry.
Ahmad Bin Byat said: "We seek to develop SmartCity Kochi into a major new hub for excellence in knowledge-based industries. Through our partnership with the government of Kerala, SmartCity Kochi will open several new avenues of growth, specifically in the IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sectors. The project will be a significant component of our global network of knowledge-based industry townships that we propose to develop around the world."
Apart from a state-of-the-art business-community infrastructure, SmartCity Kochi will include a dynamic range of retail, hospitality, residential and recreational facilities that drive productive business as well as a quality lifestyle.
Abdullatif Al Mulla, CEO of TECOM Investments said: "There will be several synergies and complementarities between SmartCity Kochi and TECOM's clusters like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. The linkages between these clusters will enhance each other's international reach and provide greater global opportunities for companies in both projects.
"Fareed Abdulrahman, Executive Director of SmartCity, said: "SmartCity Kochi is being designed to provide a balanced and highly growth-oriented environment. Companies will benefit from high-quality infrastructure and support systems while knowledge workers will have the ideal environment to work, network and share ideas."
SmartCity has also signed a deal with the government of Malta to develop SmartCity Malta. Malta and Kochi are the first two cities to be part of the global SmartCity network.
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Foundation Stone for SmartCity Kochi unveiled
- United Arab Emirates: Saturday, November 17 - 2007 at 15:43
- PRESS RELEASE
The foundation stone for SmartCity Kochi, the self-sustained knowledge-based industry township being developed in the southern Indian state of Kerala, was unveiled by the state's Chief Minister, V. S Achuthanandan, and Ahmad Bin Byat, the Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments and Chairman of the Board of SmartCity.
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About TECOM InvestmentsTECOM Investments, based in Dubai, is a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, a global company dedicated to knowledge and life-improving industries. A creator of vibrant knowledge industry clusters, TECOM Investments is currently active in buoyant cutting-edge sectors like ICT, Media, Education, Biotechnology and Energy.
A recognized leader in the global knowledge industry, TECOM Investments manages entities like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, eHosting DataFort, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Studio City, DuBiotech and Enpark.
TECOM Investments' phenomenal growth also encompasses local and international joint venture interests like Empower, a district cooling service provider established as a joint venture with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates International Telecommunications Limited, a joint venture with Dubai Investment Group and SmartCity, a joint venture formed with SAMA Dubai to develop and manage knowledge industry townships worldwide.
Emirates International Telecommunications Limited holds a stake in Tunisie Telecom and a stake in Maltacom, telecommunication carriers in Tunisia and Malta respectively. SmartCity has already laid the foundations of a global network of knowledge driven clusters through agreements to develop SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi.
TECOM Investments also has interests in Axiom, the largest mobile distributor in the Middle East, and Interoute, the operator of Europe's most densely connected voice and data network.
About SmartCity Kochi
SmartCity Kochi is a self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies located in the city of Kochi, the commercial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. To be developed by SmartCity, the joint venture company promoted by TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, in partnership with the government of Kerala, SmartCity Kochi will be one of India's largest business parks. Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village, SmartCity Kochi will provide an infrastructure, environment and support systems to promote the growth of knowledge-based industry companies. Apart from a state-of-the-art business-community infrastructure, SmartCity Kochi will offer a host of business support services as well as residential, hospitality, retail and recreational facilities. The project has an employment generation potential of over 90,000 jobs. Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the economy. SmartCity Kochi, along with SmartCity Malta, are the first two projects to be part of the global network of knowledge-based industry townships that SmartCity seeks to develop. This global network will foster productive linkages and tap synergies between knowledge-industry centres worldwide, thereby contributing to economic development.
For further information on SmartCity, please contact:
Baiju Francis
Public Relations Manager
SmartCity
Tel: +971 4 361 6663
For more information on TECOM Investments, please contact:
Rami Adwan
PR Associate Account Manager
JiWin Public Relations
Tel: + 971 4 361 3586
Or
Angelina Wong
Senior Account Executive
JiWin Public Relations
Tel: + 971 4 369 2834
Posted by Lara Lynn Golden, News EditorSaturday, November 17 - 2007 at 15:43 UAE local time (GMT+4)
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