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Gerald Fenech
Amidst a flourish of mutual goodwill, self congratulary backslapping and a general aura of confidence and expectancy, the contract for the setting up of Smartcity Malta was finally signed on Monday by TECOM Investments CEO Ahmed Bin Byat and Investments, Industry and IT minister Austin Gatt.
Apparently, the notarial deed for the transfer of the land in Ricasoli over to TECOM was signed on Sunday as it took two and a half hours for the notary to read aloud, as is the practice in such contracts in Malta.
A host of high-powered business executives and other public figures could be seen amongst the audience with the ceremony taking place in the main hall of the Westin Dragonara hotel with a large top table and a massive backdrop with the new Smart City Malta logo particularly prominent.
Asked by BusinessToday whether the magic figure of 5,600 jobs to be created by the project would possibly include jobs already in existence due to company relocations such as ST Microelectronics, Bin Biyat was noncommittal and insisted that everyone was welcome at Ricasoli and the figure of 5,600 jobs was just a commitment given by the company to create these jobs over a period of time. He said that the actual number of jobs to be created would be far greater.
Pressed on details of which workers will be involved in the construction activity, Executive Chairman of Sama Dubai, Farhan Faraidooni said that first priority would be given to Maltese construction firms who would be subcontracted for the project. He said that, if need be, foreign workers would come in to boost the labour supply as was expected in such mega projects.
A nice gesture on behalf of Gatt was the fact that he immediately proceeded to thank Opposition spokesperson on IT Leo Brincat who was a guest amongst the audience and who was also introduced to Bin Biyat in an ‘all smiles’ situation.
A minor commotion had ensued before the ceremony as the agency organizing the event limited each media house to just one question each but after an elaborate ritual, a second round of questions was eventually taken by the TECOM and Sama Dubai executives. It was disheartening to note that although there was ample time for a second round, very few journalists availed themselves of this opportunity.
In the meantime, the Chamber of Commerce issued a press statement where it stated that the Smartcity project will definitely leave its mark on the nature of business in Malta, and it will ensure that Malta makes further strides towards becoming a knowledge-based economy in line with numerous policies and strategies.
The Chamber referred to the recent meeting held with the Minister on this project and re-iterated that this will make Malta the EU’s flagship in ICT, supporting the internationalisation of Malta, and attracting global ICT leaders to the islands. The Chamber added that the SmartCity project could have huge value-added though this still needs to be quantified. |
