HP discusses key factors of driving Middle East economic growth at recently concluded World Economic Forum 2007

The WEF focused this year on creating a more prosperous future for the Middle East through Information and Communication Technologies.

As a strategic partner of WEF and being the region's largest technology solutions provider, HP is investing in the development of the region and in maintaining sustainable economic growth through ICT. It is also helping governments, businesses and individuals meet tough challenges through innovation.

Ken Willett, Vice President and Managing Director for HP Technology Solutions Group for Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa (MEMA) led HP's delegation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the Middle East. In the workshop, titled 'The Emerging Digital EcoSystem', Mr. Willet discussed the latest trends within technology, the growing importance of Web 2.0 and the opportunities regarding social networking, as well as the factors driving the continuing growth in the Middle East economy.

Mr. Willet emphasized: 'Information technology has changed immensely in recent years. We are looking now more at the critical role of technology within any business. HP recently conducted research that showed an increasing alignment between business and technology decision makers, with both CEOs and CIOs believing that technology is integral to the success of their companies.'

HP Middle East recently announced new solutions and services aiming at capitalizing on the next phase of the technology industry, which is Business Technology. This new solution helps businesses to measure the impact of technology on developing their business outcome.

In addition, WEF highlighted this year the importance of education in strengthening competitiveness. HP has engaged in a number of public and private partnerships among universities besides other educational institutions through which HP aims to create innovation in global education and improving educational excellence in the longer term.

HP and partners such as Microsoft and Cisco are taking part in the Jordan Education Initiative (JEI) - a joint project of the Jordanian Government and the World Economic Forum. The initiative focuses on three areas or 'tracks': Discovery Schools, Lifelong Learning and ICT Industry Development. According to Dr. Khaled Toukan, Jordan Minister of Education, the main objective is to help Jordanians move ever faster into the information age. The pilot programme involves 100 schools using Information Technology inside classrooms as well as for school management, e-curricula and multimedia.

HP also participated recently in the launch of Egypt's first e-school, which is part of the World Economic Forum's NEPAD's e-schools project.

Emphasizing on how to utilize technology for the next wave of growth, Mr. Willett said: 'The technology industry is moving at an accelerated pace across the Middle East with continuing deregulation in the telecoms market very much at the core to in the rapid development of this sector. There continues to be huge potential for growth in each of the local markets and the development of increasingly innovative services and applications yet to come to the region will continue to drive the industry forwards.'

The World Economic Forum was attended by over 1,200 high level participants from 56 countries and is an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum is committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in its partnerships.