Thursday, Nov 04, 2010

Gulf News

Chief executive cites companys role in regional growth

Riyadh: Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Chief Executive on Tuesday announced that the companys new Microsoft Phone 7 will be launched in Saudi Arabia next month.

As a global technology leader, we are committed to the Middle East region. Having been here for 20 years, we believe we can play an important role to drive regional growth and development by helping governments, societies and individuals realise their full potential, Ballmer said in his keynote speech at Microsoft OpenDoor the largest Microsoft technical event in Saudi Arabia.

Microsoft OpenDoor is a three-day conference at two locations. The first phase was completed yesterday in Riyadh and will conclude with one day in Jeddah on Sunday. The event is designed to attract more than 3,000 technology development managers, IT technical professionals and developers in Saudi Arabia.

Ballmer started his one-day visit to Saudi Arabia to meet the countrys top officials and highlight Microsofts commitment to the Saudi market and to provide an instrumental platform to discuss how technology can enhance the development of the country and continue to make a positive impact on its peoples lives.

Unique vision

Microsoft OpenDoor presents a great opportunity to share our unique vision for cloud computing and the enormous potential it represents. The event is to focus on cloud computing which is fundamentally changing how individuals and organisations will use technology in the future.

According to Samir Noman, Microsoft Arabia President, With Microsoft OpenDoor we are renewing our commitment to Saudi Arabia and paving the way for industry and government to participate in becoming more aware about Microsofts industry leading applications, tools and infrastructure which will define this next era of computing.

Steves visit is in line with Microsofts goal to create a sustained economic opportunity where all citizens can access the power of technology and contribute to a broad knowledge economy. Government leaders are now beginning to understand the correlation between technology and the acceleration of productivity and GDP growth, and the need to build out the infrastructure to position their economies, businesses and jobs for the future.

We believe Microsoft is well poised to assist and complement them in this process of development.

Staff Report

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