With the aim to help Government of Gujarat benefits from Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart City projects, the global network technology giant, Cisco, has signed two memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government. As per the agreement, Cisco will help government’s International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) in establishing IoT Innovation hub in its new campus at Dev Dholera near Bavla, Ahmedabad and in developing Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) as Smart City. According to Cisco officials, IoT innovation hub will enable local start-ups and entrepreneurs to build smart city and IoT-based solutions for the state. Cisco will provide its technology and expertise in developing proof of concepts.

The Center will include a dedicated space to demonstrate IoT in action, and creates a place in which customers, startups, open communities, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts will be invited to work and brainstorm on new ideas and technologies, said Cisco. On the other hand, the US-based tech firm is also exploring opportunity to deploy some of its Smart City solutions in the Gujarat’s GIFT City, which is being developed as India’s first greenfield Smart City.

As per the MoU, both Cisco and GIFT City will work together towards establishing highly tech driven solution for public Wi-Fi, smart parking, smart transport, traffic analytics among others for GIFT City.

Cisco says that it will collaborate with local ecosystem solution providers to build a scalable model for the effective roll-out of city services and also engage with ecosystem partners to develop new applications specifically for GIFT.

“The announcement today underlines Cisco’s commitment to enable Gujarat to capitalise on digital opportunities, strengthen the vibrant innovation ecosystem in the state, enhance quality of life of citizens and accelerate the digital transformation of the state,” said Dinesh Malkani, president, Cisco India and SAARC.