Knowledge Economic City and Cisco Team Up to Develop

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Knowledge Economic City Al Madinah (KEC) have signed a deal with Cisco Systems, one of the world's leading IT infrastructure companies, which will see the two companies working together to provide IT and networking facilities, creating one of the world's leading "smart cities".

Chairman Sheikh Ibrahim M. Alissa of KEC and Mr. John Chambers, chairman and chief executive officer of Cisco, yesterday confirmed the strategic agreement for infrastructure development at the five-million-square-meter "smart city" project.

KEC Chairman Sheikh Ibrahim M. Alissa, CEO Tahir Bawazir, and CTO Mohammad Shah were all present for the signing, as well as Dr Sami Baroum managing director of Savola Co. - a major share holder in KEC.

Sheikh Ibrahim said that the project is designed to attract global information and communications technology firms, who wish to establish operations and research-and-development facilities in Saudi Arabia.

"Residents should benefit as well, as the initiative will provide an attractive and interconnected living environment."

KEC's expected aggregated investment is approximately US$8 billion in the overall development of the city.

As part of its Connected Real Estate initiative, Cisco will provide the network architecture for the city.

All buildings in KEC will be interconnected and can be managed over a highly secure Internet Protocol (IP) network, allowing for centralized management and reduced operational costs for the city. The city's network will facilitate data, voice, video and mobile communications across commercial and residential buildings.

"We are committed to boosting the Saudi economy by attracting foreign direct investments, creating jobs and encouraging Muslim scientists to relocate to Saudi by providing them with the right working and living conditions," the Sheikh added.

KEC CEO Tahir Bawazir said that smart cities rely on a combination of connectivity, connected real estate and value added services for businesses and residents.

"Teaming up with Cisco will help us differentiate Knowledge Economic City with world-class smart infrastructure, which will help businesses reduce Capital Expenditure and Operating Expenses."

KEC CTO Mr. Mohammad Shah, said that KEC can now embark on the building and designing of infrastructure to help create the envisioned world class 'smart city' KEC is to become.

"The Knowledge City project in Saudi Arabia will demonstrate how technology innovations can bring about new levels of development that will attract knowledge industries and investments, while still being cost effective," said Wim Elfrink, executive vice president and chief globalization officer for Cisco.

"Cisco's Connected Real Estate initiative, developed to be a globally replicable model, has the potential to play a major role in transforming real estate developments in emerging economies."

To further develop the human capital in Saudi Arabia, Cisco is also committed to establishing the Cisco Networking Academy within the Knowledge Economic City to help train skilled professionals to design and maintain networks. Academies will play a key role in helping to address the shortfall of local technology talent in the Kingdom.

Published January 22, 2008

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Knowledge Economic City and Cisco Team Up to Develop

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