Microsoft chairman and chief architect Bill Gates is set to meet with Middle East government officials and top businesses on January 24, 2004. The visit will coincide with Government Leadership Forum Arabia (GLF Arabia).
GLF Arabia is an annual Microsoft event that brings together representatives from governments around the world to discuss national IT programs. The forum, held for the first time in the Middle East, will be held under the auspices of Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, and will be hosted by Egyptian Prime Minister, Atef Ebid.
“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 vice president for Microsoft Europe Middle East and Africa, Emre Berkin.
The forum will focus on 'Modernizing Government', 'Economic Development' and 'Education'. Gates is expected to meet government officials and top businesses driving information, community and technology agendas in the region. He is also expected to deliver the closing Key note of GLF Arabia.
Gates was named the world's richest man by Forbes magazine this past September. He managed to increase his personal fortune by three billion dollars in 2003 over his net worth of $43 billion in 2002.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a software giant for personal and business computing. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East office in 1991. The company today has five subsidiaries in the Middle East region. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
