The Hindu Business Line : SmartCity board shortlists master planners’ list

Kochi, April 11 SmartCity Kochi, a self-sustained township for the knowledge-based industry in Kochi, conducted its first meeting in 2008 of the Board of Directors here. The board met to take stock of the recent developments and to decide on the future course of action.

The key aspect of the agenda was announcing the short-listing of two master planners for SmartCity Kochi. The names of the consultants will be announced soon once the formalities of finalisation are over. Last March, SmartCity met with four national and international firms that submitted proposals in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of SmartCity, Mr Fareed Abdulrahman, said “the short-listing of master planners for SmartCity Kochi is a defining step towards our commitment to the fulfilment of the project. The master plan will focus on creating a complete business and community infrastructure keeping in mind the requirements of high-quality work environment for knowledge-based industries and the experience of a rich community lifestyle for its knowledge workers.”

Recently, the Board for Approval for SEZ at the Centre had accorded SEZ status for 136 acres of land for the SmartCity Kochi project. Necessary steps have already been initiated to obtain the formal SEZ status for the remaining 100 acres. Additionally, procedures are in play to obtain another 167 acres of the future land to further develop SmartCity Kochi.

The Board has also decided to induct Mr Anirudha Damkey, Director of Finance TECOM Investments, and Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary Information Technology Department, Kerala Government, as Board Members of SmartCity Kochi.

To further SmartCity Kochi’s exposure, SmartCity has participated in New Delhi’s Business Park 2008 exhibition and in April will be attending OutsourceWorld London, where Kochi will be promoted as a major IT/ITES destination and a new hub for knowledge-based excellence to UK and multinational organisations.

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.

SmartCity Kochi is a self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies. To be developed by Dubai-based SmartCity, the joint venture company promoted by TECOM Investments and Sama Dubai, in partnership with the Kerala Government, SmartCity Kochi will be one of India’s largest business parks.

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