High profile meeting between the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft and the Chairman of Al Alamiah

Perhaps the most prominent event to take place, away from the media spot lights during the past week, was the meeting which was described by some as a summit conference between the Chairman of Al Alamiah Group/Sakhr Software Co. and the Senior Vice President & CEO of Microsoft, held in the presence of only three senior managers from both companies.

Mohammed Al Sharekh, Chairman of Al Alamiah Group, received Mr. Jean-Philippe Courtois at his residence in Kuwait for a period of two hours. Mr. Courtois, who is the Vice President of Microsoft, is also the CEO of Microsoft Europe, Middle East & Africa. The meeting was held during a whirlwind visit by Mr. Courtois to some countries within the region, and was attended by Fahad Al Sharekh, Business Development Director, Al Alamiah Group, Ali Daloul, General Manager Northern Gulf & Iraq, Microsoft, and Abdul Aziz Al Gharabally, Sales & Marketing Director, Al Alamiah Group.

The meeting revolved around widening the scope of cooperation between both parties, further driving the strategic alliance between the Arab & International software & IT giants, and backing e-government & e-learning initiatives in the region, as well as supporting IT solutions based on Sakhr technologies and Microsoft platforms.

The easy & relaxed atmosphere of the meeting speaks well for the positive relationship which has been the trademark of the cooperation between both companies in the fast few years, and is a clear indication that this relationship will be witnessing substantial growth in the coming period, and increased cooperation on all fronts.

The meeting reinforces the high caliber support for the joint projects executed by Al Alamiah Group, Sakhr Software & Microsoft in many countries in the region, as well as the importance of seeking an increased share in regional markets, in particular for advanced pioneering projects, and the necessity of driving the companies' solutions & software towards increased integration.

Fahad Al Sharekh confirmed after the meeting that Al Alamiah Group which is presently executing projects throughout the Arab World & other areas, & which has branches throughout Kuwait, KSA, Egypt & the UAE, as well as an extensive list of distributors for its products and solutions in most the Arab countries, is one of the largest Microsoft distributors in the region. Additionally, Sakhr continues to fully support Microsoft platforms & technologies.

"Both parties confirmed that they are looking forward to increased cooperation. This meeting comes at a vital point in the path of our alliance, the effects of which will leave a significant mark on the scene in the very near future, & will have an enormous effect on future projects as well as determining the technological future of our region, whether in e-government, e-learning or other sectors," Al Sharekh stated, adding "Our honored guest was happy with this fruitful & constructive meeting. I can confirm that our horizon for continued cooperation is very ambitious indeed, & that our future holds no boundaries."