Microsoft Bahrain opens its doors to MEA employees

The expansion of Microsoft's operations has been heralded by the move to new premises located in the Seef District and confirms the company's dedication to the Kingdom of Bahrain and its plans for economic development.

The new MEA office in Bahrain is a key strategic location across the Microsoft MEA distributed headquarters, with others being in Istanbul and Johannesburg. It offers employees the chance to work in what is fast becoming one of the most vibrant and exciting business locations in the world and comes as part of Microsoft Gulf's commitment to growth and development of the IT industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

"For Microsoft, Bahrain is the perfect location to play host to some of our MEA employees," said Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf. "Bahrain is an increasingly important and strategic location at the heart of the Arabian Gulf - Microsoft has nearly 150 partners in the country and the opportunity for development is immense. In addition to an exciting business environment the location will also provide Microsoft MEA employees with a high standard of living; a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a mature legal and administrative infrastructure."

During the past four years, Microsoft has formed a strong bond with the Government and businesses of Bahrain, working closely together to empower individuals and businesses and help them reach their full potential through the use of technology. "Our key area of focus has been on working with the Government to support training and education in the Kingdom" said Ali Faramawy, VP, Microsoft EMEA. "The Government of Bahrain has set itself some key targets to achieve - with plans to double GDP per capita by 2015 and triple the current rate of productivity improvement from 1.5 per cent to five per cent. Initiatives such as the Career Connections Program and the Memorandum we have recently signed with the Ministry of Social Development - both part of the global Microsoft Unlimited Potential initiative - highlight the steps we have taken, and will continue to take, to support the local economy and development of the country."

In 2004 Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bahraini Ministry of Education (MOE) to provide improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education to Bahraini schools under Microsoft's Partners in Learning (PiL) global initiative. "Our work in this area culminated in November 2006 with the announcement of the Directorate of Training at the MOE in the Kingdom of Bahrain - the first Microsoft certified IT Academy for Teacher Training in the Gulf region" concluded Mr Faramawy

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) worked with Microsoft to facilitate the opening of the new office, using its network spanning both public and private sectors to reduce red tape and ensure a cost-effective expansion for the company.

"We have worked hard to create an economic climate that contributes to business growth, and creates well-paid, skilled job opportunities," commented Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, EDB. "The expansion of the Microsoft office as a centre for the company across the Middle East and Africa is great news for Bahrain and Bahrainis."

The support offered by the Economic Development Board meant that Microsoft MEA's transition to its new location was efficient and timely, and without any interference to Microsoft's daily operations.