Bill Gates, Microsoft’s chairman and chief architect, is set to meet with Middle East government officials, during the Government Leadership Forum Arabia (GLF Arabia). The event will be held Jan. 24-25 under the auspices of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and will be hosted by Dr. Atef Ebid, the Egyptian prime minister.
“Our chairman’s visit to Cairo translates directly into the ongoing commitment of Microsoft to the Arab world and the ICT agendas of its governments and businesses,” said Emre Berkin, VP, Microsoft Europe Middle East and Africa. “Through our 16 offices across the Arab world, Microsoft has constantly delivered technologies and programs tailored to the educational, social and development needs of local communities. Bill’s visit is intended to explore current and future modernization, development and educational objectives set by governments and businesses, and explore opportunities where Microsoft can continue delivering on its social obligations to the region.”
The Government Leadership Forum is an annual Microsoft event that brings together representatives from governments around the world to discuss how countries are streamlining service delivery and empowering their citizens through the use of information technology. This year’s event will focus on Modernizing Government, Economic Development and Education.
In addition to meeting with the government officials, Gates is expected to deliver the closing keynote of GLF Arabia. Gates will also step up to the podium for the keynote speech at the “Microsoft Developers Conference 2004,” taking place in Cairo, Jan. 25-27. MDC 2004 is an annual event that brings together developers from around the world to exchange and share expertise, ideas and learn about new technologies. More than 2,000 software developers are expected to attend for a first time preview of Microsoft’s next generation technologies in the Middle East.
At MDC 2004, Microsoft, along with a large pool of international technology experts and executives will hold in-depth technical sessions and demonstrations on the full range of Microsoft technologies and tools. Attendees will also have the opportunity to have an inside view of Microsoft’s Windows next release code-named “Longhorn,” the next release of Microsoft SQL Server code-named “Yukon” as well as the upcoming version of Microsoft Visual Studio.NET development suite, code-named “Whidbey.”
“Developers and the developer community are Microsoft’s No. 1 asset. Bill’s visit to Cairo and his keynote speech this year conveys a strong belief in the potential of the Middle East to play a key role in the global software marketplace,” said Ali Faramawy, regional director, Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “MDC 2004 is designed to attract cutting edge developers, designers and software architects that plan to lead the software development sector in this region.”
