Dubai/Kochi, Jan 17 (IANS): The first phase of Kerala's much-delayed Kochi Smart City will be inaugurated next month, a meeting of the project's board of directors in Dubai decided on Sunday.

According to Kerala IT and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, who led the state IT delegation in talks with joint venture partner Dubai Holdings, the exact date would be decided next week when the list of the visiting dignitaries from UAE would also emerge.

The first phase that would be inaugurated is the 6.5 lakh square feet building, in which, according to the minister, 25 new companies have already booked space.

Along with the inauguration, the foundation stone for the second phase -- of a 47 lakh square feet building -- would also be laid. The organisers are making efforts to bring in the United Arab Emirates Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai, for the inauguration.

This signature IT project, coming up on 246 acres at Kochi, was first mooted in 2004 during the first term of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy but got delayed. It was only in 2014 that the construction of the first phase began.