The Kerala government on Sunday ended months of speculation by signing the agreement with Dubai-based Technology and Media Free Zone Authority to set up the proposed Smart City on around 100 hectares of land in Kochi.  

The deal was signed by Ahmad Bin Byat, executive chairman of Tecom Investments, and Kerala chief secretary Lizzie Jacob in the presence of the state chief minister versus Achuthanandan.

With this, Tecom expects global and domestic IT majors to set up shop at the upcoming Smart City at Kakkanad in Kochi.Byat said that an IT firm has already shown keenness in kick-starting operations here.

The Smart City project, which according to Tecom, involves an investment close to $350 million would boast of 88 lakh sft of built-up space and supporting infrastructure.