90,000 jobs to be created in Kochi Smart City: Official

The Kochi Smart City project, a joint venture between the Kerala government and Dubai Holdings, would create 90,000 jobs when fully complete in 2019, an official said here on Wednesday.

Speaking to IANS, Kochi Smart City's outgoing CEO Abdullatif Al Mulla said he was really excited seeing the way work is progressing.

"The first phase of the building will be opened in June this year and we will be bringing in leading companies and will create close to 9,000 jobs," said Al Mulla, who handed over charge to Jaber Bin Hafez.

He said the project would create 90,000 jobs when fully complete in 2019.

"I have already met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and all top officials who have been determined that this project should take off," said Al Mulla.

The much delayed IT project was planned in 2004 and since then it had to cross numerous road blocks and it was only last year that the construction of the first phase began.

"At the time when the first phase would be opened, we will have enough surprises for Kerala, with regards to the new companies that would be associating with us in the Kochi Smart City."

Kerala IT secretary P.H. Kurian said there would be 8.8 million sq feet of space dedicated to IT alone. Besides, they have finished talking to around four companies who will be setting up their own infrastructure at the project site.