Microsoft launches Windows Server, other products in Pakistan
KARACHI (March 18 2008): Microsoft on Monday launched its three products including Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 in Pakistan. This was announced by Kamal Ahmed, country manager of Microsoft Pakistan and Sherif Siddik, regional director North Africa, East Mediterranean and Pakistan in a joint press conference held at a local hotel.
They hoped that the introduction of these products would help Pakistan grow in the field of information technology. Products will also help the country strengthen its IT economy, they added. They maintained that media would also be one of the major beneficiaries of these products to complete their assignment in a better way. The theme of the launch of products in Pakistan is “Heroes happen here,” has been chosen as an indication to the potentiality of Pakistani youth in the IT field, the added.
Regarding Microsoft’s partnership in Pakistan, they said that it is doing work here along with Zindagi Trust to impart IT education besides its engagements with Pakistan Software Export Board. To a question, they replied that Microsoft irrespective of regional perspectives is committed to every market where it has base and Pakistan is one of them.
Later, talking to Business Recorder, Kamal Ahmed said that Microsoft is facing the issues like intellectual property rights in Pakistan, as even most of the government departments do not have licenses of its products.
Earlier, Dr Abdullah Riaz caretaker federal minister for information technology in his inaugural speech urged on the software manufacturers to reduce the cost of products so that challenges like piracy of products and intellectual property rights could be met successfully.
He also called upon the new government to complete his left assignment of revoking the 15 percent sales tax on PCs with a view to encourage the computer utilisation across the country. Linking the piracy of IT products and violation of intellectual property right in Pakistan with the high costs of these products, he said these factors are giving rise to this kind of issues. Dr Abdullah also urged that youth-driven products should be introduced in the country, which will also help grow the IT sector in the country.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:3/18/2008
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