UAE Ministry of Economy extends support to BSA and Microsoft's anti-piracy awareness drive

The UAE’s Ministry of Economy (MoE) has recently met with representatives from Microsoft and Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, as part of BSA's preparations to launch a major anti-piracy ad and media campaign across the UAE. H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary – Planning Sector, MoE, discussed the campaign's strategy with Jawad Al Redha, Microsoft's IPR Manager in the Gulf region and BSA Co-Chairman in the Middle East.
 
"The Ministry appreciates the efforts of Microsoft and BSA, which aim to support the UAE Government rid the country of software piracy; an occurrence that has been identified as one of the major threats to our socioeconomic development. Software piracy not only deprives governments, organisations and ordinary citizens of legitimate sources of revenue, but it also causes job losses and stimulates a higher rate of unemployment," said H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, Undersecretary – Planning Sector, MoE.
 
"This ad campaign will help strongly deliver the message about the negative impact of piracy to the society and to every individual as well. This initiative will also further improve the country's global image as a secure investment destination, thereby enhancing the ability to attract foreign investors. We will support this awareness campaign and will provide any assistance required to ensure its success," added H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi.
 
The comprehensive ad and media campaign will include all media outlets in the UAE in a bid to reach out to as many individuals and organisations as possible. The campaign is designed to complement the UAE's stringent anti-piracy policy, which has already helped the country achieve the best anti-piracy record in the entire region.
 
According to statistics provided by international market intelligence firm IDC, the UAE has the lowest piracy rate in Middle East at 35 per cent, and is the only country from the region to figure in the world's top 20 countries with the best anti-piracy performance.
 
"Microsoft, in its capacity as a member of BSA, is committed to assisting government efforts to combat software piracy by providing information that leads to piracy reduction, as well as launching effective programs such as public awareness drives. We are pleased to collaborate with the UAE Ministry of Economy in this ad and media campaign as we continue our joint efforts to control the spread of piracy," said Jawad Al Redha, Microsoft's IPR Manager in the Gulf region.
 
"Additionally, the UAE has become one of the most enviable destinations for foreign IT investments. We believe that such economic rewards will further increase tremendously as the country continues to improve its anti-piracy rating," added Al Redha.
 
BSA, in cooperation with partners such as Microsoft, has been at the forefront of global efforts against cyber crime, which includes software piracy. Its initiatives focus on educating consumers through various awareness campaigns on software management and copyright protection, cyber security, trade, e-commerce and other internet-related issues. Established in 1988, BSA has programs in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the Middle East, where it has intensified its efforts in view of the unprecedented growth of the region's IT sector.