Orange Business Services launches joint venture in State of Qatar

Through the new company, Orange Business Services will address the significant ICT market opportunities in Qatar, one of the world's fastest growing economies with ambitious investment programmes in place, as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals and with a strategic national vision to diversify the economy by 2030.

This (EGN LLC) is the most recent local company established by Orange Business Services in the Middle East and Africa Region (MEA) and is the first of its kind dedicated to large systems integration programmes and operations.

Orange Business Services has also announced the appointment of Mr Antoine Farah as General Manager of the company, along with a team of senior professionals to qualify, design and build targeted projects.

The new team will comprise programme directors, senior architects, project managers, subject matter experts and operations directors, and will focus on target business sectors including Oil & Gas, Government sector projects, telecom company systems integrators, new cities and large infrastructure projects.

Commenting on the new Qatar joint venture, Sheikh Fahad Bin Ghanim [Al Abdul Rahman] Al Thani, said, "This new joint venture company is a very significant step that will support the development of world class ICT infrastructure in Qatar, and the broader economy, as a partner for the long term, bringing new technology and complex integration capability. Qatar has already developed leading ICT systems in the areas of E-Government and border security, and through this new joint venture company, Orange Business Services will bring the global experience and capabilities of France Telecom to Qatar. This will help accelerate our progress towards achieving the economic vision laid out in the Qatar National Vision 2030, for the development of a competitive and diversified economy capable of creating and sustaining a high standard of living for all our citizens."

The official launch of Orange Business Services in Qatar took place at the Hilton Doha, on January 8th 2013, at a reception hosted by Sheikh Fahad Bin Ghanim [Al Abdul Rahman] Al Thani and Vivek Badrinath, CEO of Orange Business Services, attended by Qatari VIPs and senior representatives of Orange Business Services and the extended business community.

Mr Philippe Koebel, Senior VP Emerging Markets and Indirect, Orange Business Services, commented, "We are delighted to announce the launch of this joint venture company in Qatar, which comes as Orange is accelerating its growth strategy in the Middle East, following another strong performance in 2012. This new local company is a clear sign of our commitment to the Qatari market and to developing the ICT infrastructure of Qatar by offering and supporting new and advanced ICT services and solutions to the public and private sectors."