Microsoft has announced its support and participation in Kuwait's first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference to be held in Kuwait on December 4-5, 2004 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Kuwait. The conference will aim at addressing the role of private sector companies and enterprises in the societies in which they operate. The two day conference, which will highlight many topics on community activism and social responsibility is organized by Multaqa Media Group (MMG) in cooperation with the TRACCS/SACCS Public Relations Network.

"We are participating in this conference, which is being held in Kuwait for the first time, as part of Microsoft's global initiative to support local communities. We believe it is important that private sector companies support the societies in which they operate." said Samer Abu-Ltaif, Microsoft's General Manager for the North Gulf region. "Microsoft believes that by providing the necessary training and tools, it will help create social and economic opportunities that can transform communities and enable people to realize their potential."

'Unlimited Potentials'

Microsoft began its philanthropic activities in 1983, ten years after it was founded, and operates under clear strategies through its 'Unlimited Potentials' program, which is .a global initiative focused on developing technology skills for underserved individuals. Last year alone, Microsoft contributed more than US$40 million in cash and US$224 million in software to nonprofit organizations around the world.

Abu-Ltaif went on to say "By participating in the CSR Conference we will be able to share with delegates Microsoft's worldwide and regional experience in developing and implementing corporate social responsibility programs to support local communities."

NORTH GULF PROJECTS

Microsoft has undertaken a number of projects in the North Gulf region covering Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar in which the company contributed to the development of individual potentials.

A main feature of these activities was a memorandum of agreement between Microsoft and the Kuwait Ministry of Education, to enhance Information and Communications Technology learning and utilization in schools as part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning program in Kuwait.

Global in scope and local in implementation, Microsoft's Partners in Learning initiative was launched worldwide in September 2003. In order to ensure that it effectively meets the needs of local communities, the initiative is implemented in conjunction with government agencies, local businesses, and non-government organizations.

Partners in Learning recognizes the educational value of information and communications technology and Microsoft is making a substantial investment worldwide over the next five years to deliver Information and communications technology skills training and technical support to schools, students, teachers, and educators. In addition, the program includes significant educational discount prices for Microsoft's desktop software.

In Bahrain, the Ministry of Education has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft North Gulf as part of the Partners in Learning initiative that aims at encouraging teachers and students to use IT and communications technologies to promote the educational standards at the Kingdom's schools. Microsoft will also supply schools with low-price software, and provide additional advanced technologies to the Bahraini community for educational purposes.

CIVIL SERVICES COMMISSION

Another regional initiative was the National Career Development Center which Microsoft established in partnership with the Civil Services Commission in Kuwait.

The National Career Development Center aims to provide Kuwaiti graduates with technical expertise that would enhance their chances of better career opportunities in the Kuwaiti recruitment market. This program is part of the Microsoft Unlimited Potentials initiative.

US$ ONE BILLION GLOBALLY

Through its Unlimited Potentials program, Microsoft aims at providing technology skills for individuals by helping them to achieve better life standards on a personal and professional level through the learning and use of technology. On a global scale, Microsoft plans to commit more than $1 billion in community projects under the Unlimited Potential initiative over the next 5 years.

Earlier this year, Microsoft celebrated its fifth year of operation in Kuwait and the North Gulf region and reconfirmed its commitment to further invest in the region and to contribute to IT industry growth in the Kuwait and North Gulf markets.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.

Trans-Arabian Creative Communications Services (TRACCS)

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