Microsoft Oman moves to Knowledge Oasis

His Excellency Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated Microsoft Oman's new offices at a ceremony today.

Since Microsoft opened its office in Oman in 2001, the company has expanded its presence in the country considerably. It works closely with the Government and businesses of Oman to empower individuals and businesses and help them reach their full potential through the use of technology.

"We are honored that His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry could join us today," said Abdullah Lootah, Microsoft Oman, Country Manager. "We are committed to working with the Government to sustain training and education in the Sultanate and support areas of economic importance to the country. His Excellency's presence here today and our move to KOM is evidence of our dedication in these areas."

Over the last year Microsoft Oman has spearheaded a number of initiatives with the goal of contributing to the growth and development of potential in the Sultanate. The Oman Women's Association in Muscat (OWAM) is now equipped to train women across the country in IT skills and capabilities following collaboration with Microsoft Oman and in July 2007 Microsoft donated the latest Vista and Office 2007 software to the Environment Society of Oman.

"Over the last six years Microsoft Oman has consistently proved to be an invaluable partner in the development of the country," commented His Excellency Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry. "Today once again Microsoft Oman leads other business in moving its premises to one of our most exciting initiatives - the KOM. In doing so it lends its support not only to the KOM development but once again to the IT and business industry of the Sultanate as a whole."

KOM is as a technology park located 30 kilometers from Muscat and neighboring Rusayl Industrial Estate - the Sultanate's largest industrial park - and Sultan Qaboos University. The development, dedicated to supporting technology-oriented businesses, brings together a diversity of enterprises from industry niches as varied as M-commerce to international call centers.

"The planned growth rate over the coming five years for Microsoft Oman necessitates the move to a larger space within which to operate," said Charbel Fakhoury, Microsoft Gulf General Manager. "We are very proud of the team in Oman and their efforts to support the Sultanate as it develops its IT infrastructure and capabilities and contributes to the overall knowledge economy of the Gulf."