Microsoft Gulf and Dubai Internet City (DIC) announced a partnership through which the software company will provide support to the DIC team on all Microsoft technologies utilized by existing entities under the Technology, E-Commerce and Media (TECOM) Zone.
The Internal Services Unit of TECOM Zone, which is located at DIC, is responsible for its Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, and will work closely with the Microsoft service team to support and administer its IT infrastructure.
“This is the first Premier Services contract of this magnitude in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is representative of a growing realization in the region about the importance of support services that ensure the effective use of software, especially while running mission critical operations,” said Abdullatif Almulla, Microsoft country manager for UAE, Oman and Yemen.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based Middle East headquarters office in 1991 and also has offices in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In 1999, Microsoft opened offices in Lebanon, Kuwait and Pakistan and offices in Jordan and Oman earlier this year.
DIC is the first complete IT and telecommunications center in the world to have been built inside a free trade zone. With over 300 companies now operating from its premises, and with new partners and new phases of expansion coming online, DIC is building a community of like-minded new economy companies, nourished by its own specialized support units.
DIC allows 100 percent foreign ownership of companies, and laws relating to partnerships with local sponsors have been relaxed. Sales, company earnings and private income are exempt from any form of taxation. Companies can also take land on a renewable lease of up to 50 years and build their own offices. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
