This column is maintained on the author's personal initiative. Opinions expressed are the author's own and may not reflect official positions. No affiliation with SmartCity@Malta is implied.

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23-Feb-2006 - Advanced framework discussions between TECOM Investments and Maltese Government announced, citing the SmartCity@Malta moniker. More

29-Mar-2006 - Heads of agreement signed. More

16-May-2006 - The TECOM-DIG consortium acquires a 60% controlling stake in MaltaCom, the national telephony company. More

27-Nov-2006 - Negotiations intensity and a few Maltese-Arab sparks fly. Bombshells dropped but shared cultural heritage keeps fire at bay. More

22-Jan-2007 - Successful conclusion to talks on SmartCity@Malta: Cabinet approves agreement framework. More

5-Mar-2007 - SmartCity master plan finalised and presented in Parliament. More

8-Mar-2007 - KPMG issues advisory document: 'Socio-economic impact assesment of the SmartCity (Malta) project'. More

20-Mar-2007 - Unanimous approval after discussion in parliament. More

21-Mar-2007 - TECOM, Sama Dubai to jointly create 'SmartCity' clusters worldwide. More

23-Apr-2007 - Deed and final investment agreement signed. More | Presentation

10-Sep-2007 - Master Plan for SmartCity Malta unveiled at Dubai's Gitex exhibition. More

15-Sep-2007 - Chris Cole appointed Chief Operating Officer. More

11-Oct-2007 - Preparation for demolition at Smart City site begins. More

12-Feb-2008 - SmartCity Malta showcased at Business Park 2008 More

18-Apr-2008 - SmartCity Malta promoted at OutsourceWorld London More

1-Jun-2008 - SmartCity Malta reaches out to Maltese Educators More

14-Jun-2008 - First phase of SmartCity Malta launched. More

31-Dec-2021 - Completion of the commercial and residential projects.

The Mater Dei Hospital, here included for comparative purposes, shares
a similar footprint with the Commercial part of the SmartCity project.

[Data from MITI]

11-Nov-2006 - 550 new jobs in Malta from Lufthansa Technik AG. More

27-Apr-2007 - HSBC UK to invest €7 million in Malta call centre. More

12-Jul-2007 - Into the club - The euro prepares to take in Malta and Cyprus. More

9-Aug-2007 - Malta woos technology wanderers. More

8-Sep-2007 - 6pm Holdings plc plans IPO. More

4-Oct-2007 - How the euro and technology are changing an island economy. More

27-Oct-2007 - Malta termed as 'this year's surprise Smart21 community'. More

25-Nov-2007 - Microsoft Corporation offers internships to Maltese ICT students More

28-Nov-2007 - International conference in Malta to discuss IPTV. More

1-Jan-2008 - Cyprus and Malta adopt the Euro. More

22-Jan-2008 - Marine engineering cluster MARSEC-XL signs on Navico and MTU. More

5-Feb-2008 - General election 2008 set for March 8th. More

23-Feb-2008 - Malta scoops awards for best short haul conference destination. More

10-Mar-2008 - Malta's PM wins close re-election. More

14-Mar-2008 - I.E.E.E. International Symposium (ISCCSP 2008) to be held in Malta. More

Malta in Europe

SmartCity in Malta

Ricasoli industrial estate

The land ear-marked for the SmartCity development is home to the derelict Ricasoli industrial estate, where a handful of factories are still operating and will have to be relocated.

Ricasoli is also adjacent to the Mediterranean Film Studios. These handle projects ranging from blockbuster films to low budget features, television series, commercials and music videos. One of their large water tanks can be seen towards the top-left of the image.

[Images from Google Maps]

Having yawned an entire career at the pace of ICT and knowledge-work promotion in Malta, I have to say that since Austin Gatt's 2003 appointment in matters ICT-related, the sector has undergone a tremendous boost. Despite an ever present hint of bulldozing, the results speak for themselves. Strategic alliances have been forged with global players such as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, and now on an unprecedented scale, with TECOM and DIG. In 2008, following general elections and a cabonet reshuffle, the Investment portfolio was handed over to Tonio Fenech.

Prime-minister Lawrence Gonzi (left), with Austin Gatt, Minister for Communications & National Projects

Tonio Fenech, Minister of Finance, Economy & Investment

Juanito Camilleri, Rector, University of Malta

ICT education also received a nudge. We had shake-ups at MCAST, the main technical college in Malta, boosting capacity for ICT-related courses. In 2006, a new rector, with undeniable ICT-bias, was appointed to the top job at the University of Malta. Even the stipends system was tweaked to favour uptake of technological courses as demanded by trends in industry.

With the rise in student numbers, a lot remains to be done to ensure that students receive quality tutoring and reach their potential. We need to create exciting opportunities to plug the brain drain of the best and brightest. And we need to push for home-grown hi-tech start-ups, leave the sweat-shop mentality behind us, and really go for innovation.

All these changes will mean that as SmartCity tenants set up shop in a few years, a bigger and better educated workforce and a better developed hi-tech ecosystem will be ready for the challenges ahead.

No news yet of what will be offered in SmartCity@Malta, but certainly, an attempt to approach the setup and operational benefits offered by competing sites will mean, first and foremost, a clamp-down on administrative overheads, red-tape and public sector bureaucracy that needlessly hamper enterprises in Malta. Small enterprises waste a significant percentage of their productivity dealing with paperwork.

[Reproduced from DIC Corporate Presentation]