Bill Gates launches investment portal

Cairo - January 29, 2005 -- Chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, has launched the investment portal for the Egyptian Ministry of Investment. The project aims to place Egypt on the world investments map by providing investors with the necessary support to access the best quality e-government services

The new portal is launched in both Arabic and English to target local and foreign investors and will provide information on the Ministry and its services, projects offered for privatization, joint investment prospects as well as data related to the current economic performance and Egyptian stock exchange. In addition, there will be a section that will allow the Ministry of Investment to handle investors’ complaints, queries and feedbacks. The Ministry of Investment will provide technical assistance to the project in terms of content, ideas, concept and hosting of the website.

The launch of this portal will significantly advance Egypt’s economic performance by promoting privatization initiatives and investment opportunities. The portal aims to attract foreign investments due to its transparency and credibility to release information sought after by investors and give them online feed back to their queries and concerns.

Bill Gates delivered a speech during the launch ceremony where he expressed his optimism about the investment climate in Egypt under the leadership of the new government headed by Dr. Ahmed Nazif.

The portal was initiated during a dinner party hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo for Bill Gates to meet with Egyptian businessmen and media representatives.