Partnership between JCCI, ICC & global IT companies

The launch of an initiative to support small and medium enterprises in the area of information and communication technology was announced yesterday through a partnership between the International Computer Company (ICC),Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Cisco, Microsoft Corporation, Zai Computer Company and Epson.

The initiative launch was made during a press conference held here at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce in the presence of the Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the International Computer Company, and head of Cisco’s SME Sector Mas well as representatives of Microsoft,Zai Computer Co. and Upson.

In this context Sheikh Saleh Altorki expressed his happiness with this initiative which will make available technical means to owners of small and medium enterprises in an easy way and with reasonable prices the fact that would ensure wider opportunities to compete.

He also appreciated the support of the International Computer Company, Cisco, Microsoft, Zai Computer and Aipson to the initiative, stressing the importance of supporting small and medium enterprises as they represent a large segment of the community seeking a better future in the light of the major challenges and the sever competition of the large and foreign firms.

For his part, ICC Vice President Eng. Akram Elias commented that the initiative will provide the latest Computer hardware and software and techniques on installment basis to support small and medium enterprises, and that his company will ensure the best offersto the owners of Fifty thousand small and medium enterprises which are subscribers at Jeddah Chamber in accordance with installment programmes of up to ten months.

Eng Elias made clear that the most important objectives of the initiative is to increase knowledge of SMEs in the field of Internet applications and information technology to achieve the growth and of these companies, and to provide comprehensive solutions for small and medium businesses, including software applications, hosting solutions, basic networking, connectivity, information technology infrastructure and services technical support.

He added that the initiative will present accessible offers to small and medium companies to assist them in applications of information technology solutions through consulting expertise and thus granting them wider opportunities for competition and improve their productivity.

Elias pointed out that the firms that use modern technology in their business transactions increase the proportion of trade success by more than 50%

“Small to medium businesses are the heart of the Kingdom’s trading community, and we want to provide them with the tools and the advice to ensure that they can benefit from new routes to market such as the internet, whilst also increasing their workforce’s productivity,” said Dr. Badr Bin Humoud Al Badr, Managing Director for Cisco Saudi Arabia.

“IT will be the enabler that drives the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the global economy. IT will empower small to medium businesses to compete locally, regionally and eventually on a multinational stage. Cisco has always been a leader and we’re proud to take the initiative here with our partners at ICC and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce,” he added.