Microsoft appoints new country manager for Bahrain

Sherif will be responsible for managing all of Microsoft's operations in the country, and for driving future growth in this key market.

Microsoft first opened offices in Bahrain in 2002, and today has 14 people based in the country. Microsoft Bahrain works with many of the largest and best known organizations in the public and private in the country, to help build the IT economy and to enable customers to enhance their productivity and profitability. Microsoft is also involved in a number of initiatives with ministries, to enhance IT skills among young and underprivileged Bahrainis, to help empower them to reach their full potential.

"Microsoft is strongly committed to growth and development of the IT industry in the Kingdom, and to providing opportunities to help the people of Bahrain to benefit from technology. I am very pleased to be taking on this role, and I look forward to working with our customers and partners in Bahrain to create further growth for the country,"

said Bayoumi.

Sherif was previously responsible for the Public Sector Department of Microsoft Egypt, where he won the Chairman's Award 2003, an internal Microsoft honor bestowed on exceptional employees, in 2003. Microsoft Egypt was also recognized as the best subsidiary for Microsoft EMEA in 2004. Sherif joined Microsoft in 1999 after working in a number of different marketing and management positions across the Middle East. Sherif holds a Computer Engineering degree from the Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science Department, Alexandria University.

"With the formation of Microsoft Gulf last year, Microsoft announced a new focus on resources for customers and partners in this region, and Sherif is an important part of delivering on that vision. I have every confidence that Sherif will drive Microsoft Bahrain to build on its previous successes, and to create even more opportunities for growth in the country," said Charbel Fakoury, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf.