The Hindu : Front Page : Government optimistic about talks with DIC

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Saturday, Aug 05, 2006

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Government optimistic about talks with DIC

Special Correspondent

State promises DIC all assistance normally due to IT companies

POSITIVE SIGNS: The Dubai Internet City team holds talks with Government officials in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government sees positive signs in the official-level talks held here on Friday with the Dubai Internet City (DIC) for setting up the Smart City project at Kakkanad in Kochi.

The discussion was based on conditions far different from the ones agreed to during the time of the Oommen Chandy Government, a top official told The Hindu .

One new condition is that the Government will retain its control over the Infopark already functioning at Kakkanad. The DIC had wanted to take over the Infopark and make it part of the proposed Smart City project.

Another condition is that the DIC will not be given exclusive rights to develop Information Technology (IT) infrastructure in the Kochi area as promised by the Oommen Chandy Government. "It was an extremely fruitful discussion," Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Sheela Thomas told presspersons after the talks that lasted more than eight hours. Executive Director of the DIC Fareed Abdul Rehman, who led the team from Dubai, too expressed his satisfaction. They did not go into the details of what was discussed.

According to sources, the Government assured the DIC that it would receive all encouragement and support from the State to make the Smart City project a success. The Government promised the DIC all assistance normally due to IT companies in the State. At the same time, the Government would go ahead with its expansion plans for Infopark.

The land required for Smart City's future growth would be acquired and given to it as and when requisitioned. It can function as a private IT park with the Government's full patronage. The DIC team will meet the Chief Minister on Saturday. The team will report the discussion to the company's board of directors in Dubai for a final decision. The State Government hopes that it will be possible to sign a formal agreement in a month's time, the official said.

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