Microsoft opened its office in Amman at a ceremony patronised by King Abdullah and attended by the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Mohammad Halaiqa. Present were vice president of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Emre Berkin and general manager of Microsoft Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean (GEM) Bahram Mohazzebi together with Jordanian government officials and other Microsoft executives.
Commenting on Microsoft's presence in Jordan, King Abdullah said: "As information technology continues to play a vital part in the Jordanian economy, we welcome Microsoft's presence here. As a nation, Jordan has the resources as well as the expertise in sustaining IT growth and development in the new digital economy and we believe that international investment is an indication of this empowerment.
"Microsoft has been active in Jordan for many years now and its partnership with the Jordanian government has helped tremendously in the growth of the local IT industry."
A recent recipient of international awards for championing software copyright, King Abdullah has been lauded internationally for his efforts to use information technology as the key driver towards a stronger economy and national prosperity. Berkin met the King in early 2000 in support of the government's IT initiatives leading to a closer cooperation between Microsoft and the Jordanian government in industry as well as community development programmes. Later that year Microsoft entered into an enterprise agreement with the Jordanian government covering most of the government's software requirements.
"Jordan's competitive entry into the international IT market has been impressive," said Berkin. "Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, the last three years have seen tremendous progress in copyright compliance, local IT growth and citizen awareness, giving the country the potential to be among regional IT leaders. Simultaneously, this has provided a conducive setting for Microsoft to initiate local operations in the country and our vision is to strengthen, support and sustain."
"We believe that Microsoft's ongoing operations in Jordan will be given further impetus with the presence of a local office," said Mohazzebi.
