DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Dec. 4, 2012 – More than 400 customers, partners, media and dignitaries attended an event on Nov. 19 to explore the global and business benefits of Windows 8. Attendees saw a range of new Windows 8 apps developed in the Middle East, including Time Out Dubai, Al Jazeera and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
Keynote addresses by Ali Faramawy, corporate vice president for Microsoft and president of Microsoft Middle East and Africa, and Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president for Windows Web Services, highlighted early deployment customers including Emirates Airlines, BT and UAE Smart Learning.
"'Re-imagining Windows' – where could this be a better fit than here in Dubai?" Faramawy asked. "This region is full of imagination and inspiration – just like our newest version of Windows."
The guest speaker at the event, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, UAE minister for foreign trade, stressed how the competitiveness of the UAE economy has been greatly improved due to technology investments, and noted that Windows 8 will play a key role in continuing that development.
The event was held in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made building in the world.
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Dignitaries
Front row from second to left: Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates minister for foreign trade; His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates; and Samer Abu-Ltaif, general manager Microsoft GULF, with VIP guests following the keynote at the Windows 8 showcase event in Dubai on November 19, 2012.
Al Jazeera App on Display
Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president for Windows Web Services, showcases the Al Jazeera news app in front of dignitaries, customers, partners and media representatives at the Windows 8 showcase event in Dubai on November 19, 2012.
Welcome to Burj Khalifa
Microsoft GULF hosted its Windows 8 event in Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made building in the world. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 19, 2012
Ali Faramawy
"The innovation Windows 8 is sparking in the region is impressive," said Ali Faramawy, corporate vice president and president of Microsoft Middle East and Africa. "Just a few weeks after its global launch, Windows 8 is already transforming the lives of consumers, businesses and economies through a set of amazing new devices and rich apps." Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 19, 2012
Press Briefing
Samer Abu Ltaif, general manager Microsoft GULF (speaking), and Kevin Griffiths, senior vice president Cabin Crew at Emirates, discuss the advantages of Windows 8 for enterprise business with international media at a press briefing during the Windows 8 showcase event in Dubai on November 19, 2012.
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
“’Eight’ is considered a number of luck and wealth in many cultures. For Microsoft, ‘8’ symbolizes a game-changer, as the new version of Windows will change the world of mobile and convertible devices and emerging technologies like cloud computing," said Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates minister for foreign trade, while speaking at the event in Dubai on November 19, 2012.
Antoine Leblond
Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president for Windows Web Services, showcases the rich variety of OEM hardware unleashing the power of Windows 8 in front of more than 400 attendees at the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, November 19, 2012.