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Bill Gates hears about KRG’s ICT plans at
Government Leaders Forum
10.2.2008
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February 10, 2008
Abu Dhabi, -- The Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) made its debut at the prestigious
Government Leaders Forum in Abu Dhabi in late
January, joining prominent figures from politics,
business, education and the NGO sector to exchange
experiences and perspectives and discuss issues
common to the Middle East and North Africa region.
During the forum, the KRG’s Director General of IT,
Botan Mahmoud Osman, discussed the KRG’s
e-Government and ICT initiatives with Bill Gates,
the chairman of Microsoft. They also discussed the
establishment of a Microsoft Iraq Office in the
Kurdistan Region and the possibility of aid from the
Gates Foundation to Kurdistan. Assurances were given
for Microsoft’s support for the KRG’s Department of
IT in achieving its goals. |
The KRG’s Director General of IT, Botan Mahmoud
Osman (L), discussed the KRG’s e-Government and ICT
initiatives with Bill Gates (R) |
Mr Osman said: “It was an important and fruitful
mission, KRG’s representation at such an event is a
significant step towards the development of our
region. It was an honour to meet Bill Gates and
share our ideas to enhance ICT in Iraq as a whole
and the Kurdistan Region in particular.”
This was the first time that a regional government
had been invited to the event. During his keynote
speech, the Microsoft chairman highlighted the
transformative power of education and the critical
role played by public-private partnerships and
information and communication technology (ICT) to
create a strong, vibrant economy across the region.
"Technology has touched millions of lives and played
a significant role in fostering economic development
across the (Middle East) region,"www.ekurd.net
Mr Gates said.
"Microsoft's goal is to work in close partnership
with governments and partner organisations to help
them use technology to accelerate social and
economic development."
The forum was hosted under the patronage of Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of
the United Arab Emirates, and was attended by
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy of the
UAE.
Regarding KRG’s ICT development Mr Osman said: “The
Department of IT pledges to bring together
experiences from around the globe and apply them to
the Kurdistan Region, and through this create the
right policies and environment for ICT development,
which will focus on delivering the best services for
our citizens”
Bill Gates: Government Leaders
Forum Arabia 2008
krg org
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