Microsoft shows commitment to Oman Government targets to localize IT industry

Last week the National Economy Minister Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki announced that the government of Oman was considering setting a target of 25% localization of the IT industry by 2008. In 2002, just 7% of IT sector personnel were Omanis.

Microsoft employs Omani nationals in a wide range of roles at its Muscat office, with the Oman operation being led by an Omani national, Sami Al Lawati, Business Development Manager, Oman.

"The level of Omanization that we have achieved in Microsoft is something which I am very proud of," said Al Lawati. "Microsoft is dedicated to working with the Government of Oman to help it achieve its aims of including our people in the economy, and in the knowledge economy in particular, and we are very pleased that we can lead the way in localization of the IT industry. As a company, we continue to expand our operations in Oman, and the hard work of our Omani employees is one of the main reasons that we have been able to expand so rapidly."

Microsoft is committed to aiding communities in the countries where it works, through educational and community programs, and through working alongside local governments to achieve their goals. Throughout the Middle East, Microsoft strives to show commitment to the Arab world through the employment of local people, and the company is also a leader in producing Arabic-enabled software solutions to give Arabic speakers the tools they need to realize their potential.

Microsoft's Omani staff fill a wide range of roles within the company. Zaid Abdullatif works as System Builder Channel Partner Account Manager, handling over 45 resellers in Oman. Abdullatif is responsible for building sales, and developing relationships with important local PC assembly partners.

Fawzy Al Harrasy is another key member of the Microsoft Oman team, handling the public sector business, working closely with local and national government departments in Oman to help them realize their IT vision. The day-to-day business of the office in Oman is also handled by an Omani, Nawal Al Jamali, who holds the post of Office Manager, providing a range of support roles to the team.

"We are very pleased to be able to support the government of Oman and its targets for Omanization, by employing Omanis in our office," said Abdullatif Al Mulla, General Manager, Microsoft South Gulf. "Wherever Microsoft operates, we feel it is essential that we engage with local authorities and communities, to work better with them and to ensure that we are providing the best possible solutions, and enabling local economies to thrive and prosper as well. Our presence in Oman is proof of our commitment to the Omani community."