Microsoft appears to be "sharpening its swords" in its efforts to take a large slice of the Internet-enabling business software market in the region.
Microsoft GEM (Gulf and Mediterranean) announced that it would strategically relocate its regional headquarters to a new location within the Dubai Internet City. Further, the software giant announced that it would perform key Arab software development stages in Dubai, to strengthen its efforts in developing and marketing Internet-related business in the local marketplace. The move is expected to bring products closer to local users, as well as to enhance product assimilation and quality in the region, the Jordan Times reported.
Microsoft has sought to capitalize on the needs of regional business to incorporate the Internet and Internet software into their businesses. Mohazzebi stated, "Every aspect of Microsoft Gem's business will now gain a sharper Internet focus. We have worked with the world's leading e-commerce sites and local governments to develop their infrastructures, and we will now be working harder than ever to bring the advantages of those Internet technologies to companies in this region."
Microsoft's efforts in both Dubai and the region at large, fall in line with Sheikh Mohammed's vision to develop Dubai into an e-commerce center. "We believe that the Dubai Internet City initiative will bring a totally new impetus to commerce and technology within this region," stated Patrick De Smedt, Microsoft Vice President of the Enterprise Group in EMEA. He affirmed Microsoft's regional commitment, "We are proud to be associated with such a far sighted initiative, and we have assured Sheikh Mohammed of our wholehearted backing for his visionary approach."
Microsoft entered the regional stage by opening up Middle East headquarters in Dubai in 1991, with ancillary offices opening in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Microsoft GEM is responsible for operations in Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Cyprus, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan and Malta. New offices opened in Lebanon, Kuwait and Pakistan in 1999.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
