Microsoft enters Albanian IT market

EDINBURGH, Feb.1 – A Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed between the Government of Albania and software giant Microsoft in the frame of the European Government Leader’s Forum held in Edinburgh. Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, agreed on many potential cooperation issues included in the deal such as for the modernization of the Albanian public sector and the acceleration of the country’s technological development, which aims to enhance the country’s competitiveness with the help of technology. According to this agreement Albania will benefit 6,000 packages of Microsoft software products at a “symbolic price”, to be installed on school computers, according to the government statement on the Council of Ministers’ website. It may be understood that all other operating systems and software that will be used in the public administration will be paid at regular prices. Meanwhile, Microsoft has won the exclusivity to manage the public administration IT. The government has not yet produced any estimates about the total cost for this service. The cooperation will extend over a three-year period, during which an ambitious program will be implemented, with special emphasis on ICT infrastructure development, e-government services and education. In the context of the agreement, Microsoft commits to establishing a local subsidiary in Albania within the next 12 months. Microsoft will work closely with the Albanian Government to set up a Business Innovation Center that will contribute to the empowerment of the local ICT business and jointly develop a variety of e-government services. Mr. Gates emphasized that “This agreement represents Microsoft’s commitment to open office in Albania and work with partners there, such as the government or universities, and help IT to modernize the economy and create opportunities in the country. We are very pleased to be working with the government of Albania.” During the term of the 3-year agreement, Microsoft will also provide support in for the development of a low cost National PC program, aiming to provide the Albanian education system with an affordable PC to be used for educational purposes. Prime Minister Berisha expressed his hopes that the deal will facilitate his initiative “Albania in the age of internet” and launch new projects in every field of the digital life, from eGovernment to eProcurement, eTaxes, eSchools, etc,.