Barcelona- The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, witnessed on Wednesday a contract signing between Microsoft and Telecom Egypt (TE) to establish Microsoft's first date centre in Egypt which will improve the service provided to Microsoft's customers. The new collaboration will expand the services of Microsoft in Egypt, as well in Africa and the Middle East, the minister said on the side-lines of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. “Egypt is moving forward to become a digital world hub, given its special geographical location overlooking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean," Talaat said. "We are committed to the development of telecommunications and the IT industry in Egypt, and we appreciate the partnerships that enhance the local institutions, and develop the business market in Egypt," he added. "This step will boost Microsoft's services in Egypt and improve the communications quality all over Africa and the Middle East," the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Azure Networking, Yousef Khalidi said, pointing out that Microsoft is always investing to improve its global network's services, which in return enable the local institutions achieve the aspired digital transformation. From his side, the CEO of TE, Adel Hamed, expressed his content over the collaboration, saying it will facilitate the company's plan for digital transformation. He added that Egypt telecom's geographic location and its infrastructure enable it to facilitate cloud companies' – such as Microsoft – mission to reach their clients inside and outside Egypt, and to expand into other markets. "Microsoft is obligated to provide its clients with the most qualified cloud services, through its collaboration with the Egyptian government, to enable Egyptian corporates and institutions make the digital transition smoothly," the General Manager of Microsoft Egypt, Khaled Abdel Kader said, adding that Microsoft's new partnership will not only serve Egypt, but also the MENA region, especially after establishing Microsoft's new cloud areas in South Africa and the UAE. Microsoft is one of the largest networks all over the world which includes more than 100 data centres, 135 different websites, in addition to 100,000 miles of cables to provide services to its customers, while TE is one of Egypt's most important institutions, pushing the economy and facilitating the work of governmental institutions. In the same context, the minister met with Microsoft's vice president of Europe, Middle-East, and Africa, Michel van der Bel, alongside Abdel Kader, where they discussed a potential collaboration to establish a studio to develop online games in Egypt, and develop artificial intelligence in Egypt.
