Siemens launches IT services and solutions in lower Gulf region

Siemens LLC, the regional company of Siemens AG, announced the launch of the operations of Siemens IT Solutions and Services in the lower Gulf region (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen).

Siemens IT Solutions and Services is a consolidation of the company’s global IT and software know-how by the merger of five previously diverse IT and software houses.  The business has been given a sector-specific orientation, boosting competence in industry-specific solutions and generating efficiency of work-flows.

Globally, Siemens has a proven track record in this sector with a client roster of blue chip brands such as BBC, Microsoft, Lufthansa, MetLife, and Daimler Chrysler.  The launch of Siemens IT Services and Solutions business here means that the company can now offer this expertise to this region.  In the lower Gulf alone, Siemens maintains over 1,500 full time employees and has an extensive presence in each country.

In 2006, the global market for IT services and solutions includes a sales volume of around EUR 360 bln; this figure is expected to grow 7% annually. According to analysts, values in the Gulf region mirror the global figures. In the UAE alone, the market is estimated to be valued at around EUR 375 mln (AED 1.86 bln) per year, and experienced a 23% year on year growth in the last year.

“The substantial growth currently being experienced in the region, especially in the UAE and Qatar, is rapidly driving up the demand for medium and large scale IT services,” said Anil Laud, member of the Group executive board of Siemens IT Solutions and Services.

“In this region there will be a particular concentration on two market segments: airports and public sector. For instance, we will be able to draw on Siemens’ experience to equip airports with complex and bespoke IT solutions,” explained Joachim Kundt, CEO, Siemens LLC.

“One area where we have a competitive advantage is that of enabling electronic processing for government. We have excellent experience in building integrated security for identification systems, including e-passports, border control and command and control centres. Siemens recently built a state-of-the-art command and control centre for Dubai Police.  A regional presence means that we are now in the position that we can work closely with our customers here, but with the full backing of an extensive global network of IT know-how.”