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.

 

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