Microsoft optimistic for region


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Microsoft expects sales in the Middle East to return to 20 per cent growth this year as the company prepares to roll out some of its more popular applications to the Web. Ali Faramawy, the vice president of Microsoft International, said revenue growth in the region dropped about 5 or 6 per cent per cent to 15 per cent last year because of reduced spending on information technology across the Middle East. "When you're talking about growing at 20 per cent gross and then you go to about 15 per cent, that's a big difference," Mr Faramawy said. "The good thing is that we're continuing to grow in double digits, which is fantastic, but the bigger issue is the kind of opportunities that exist in these types of markets."
IDC, a global technology consultancy based in the US, recently released a report that said the world's leading emerging markets were set to head the recovery in global technology spending in the coming years, with the Middle East and Africa at the forefront. Companies in the Middle East and Africa are expected to spend US$49.77 billion (Dh182.82bn) this year, with the Gulf region forecast to contribute about 25 per cent, the report said.
Mr Faramawy forecast Microsoft's sales growth in the region to be at least 20 per cent this year. The US-based software giant has been hit by a wave of competition from "open source" software applications built by volunteer programmers and distributed on the internet by the likes of Google and others. A declining global economy has also impacted the technology sector and major companies such as Intel, Microsoft and IBM all saw sales decline last year.
The expected rise in IT spending was not lost on Microsoft as the company opened its TechEd technical education and networking event yesterday in Dubai. The three-day showcase borrows heavily from other similar ones in the UAE but with an added emphasis on Microsoft products. Sivaramakichenane Somasegar, the senior vice president of Microsoft's developer division, said the company's upcoming product line-up focused on connecting the mobile, desktop and television worlds as well as significantly pushing into developing its software for the web. "We are now starting to make the transition into what it means for you to post things on to the cloud," Mr Somasegar said. "We want to make that as simple as possible."
The "cloud" refers to "cloud computing", the technology industry term used to describe placing data on to a connected network of computer servers that is easily accessible from the internet. Many companies are increasingly adopting "cloud computing" in their IT departments as a way to cut costs and more effectively manage their data. Mr Somasegar said Microsoft would release versions of its Office and Sharepoint application suites for the Web later this year.
"We have media assets and we have online assets but we will continue to be a software company," Mr Somasegar said. @Email:dgeorgecosh@thenational.ae

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Price: From Dh117,059

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The specs

Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
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How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia

Three Penalties

v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)

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v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)

Four Corners

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PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

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Transmission: 10-speed auto

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List of alleged parties

 May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members

May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party

Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff

Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson

Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party

Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters

Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz

Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party

While you're here
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster