Building on the success of the Business Xchange conference earlier this year in Dubai, and in a bid to bring together a selected group of industry leaders, du and Injazat Data systems hosted the Business Xchange Abu Dhabi forum as part of its innovative umbrella of leadership series. Hosting a distinguished selection of industry captains, the forum mainly focused on the managed network IT services and strategic development for growth in the UAE market. The event took place on October 4, 2010 at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahar Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

“In line with our quest to refine the local market and elevate its offerings, we have created a platform for collective collaboration and carefully selected the discussion topics and theme of the event to accurately reflect the situation of the sector today. With the increasing demand for cost reduction and increased efficiency in today’s ever changing market, managed services have not only become an efficient business strategy but a necessity for organisational productivity. Therefore, we are proud to take the lead in introducing this topic in order to gather and process experience and information in a way that will help shape our industry and benefit our overall operations,” stated Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Led by industry professionals from du and Injazat Data Systems along with the participation of MBC Group, the event comprised of interactive dialogue sessions and engaging opportunities that discussed market demands, concentrating on the deployment of ICT for optimal business value. The aim of this gathering was to foster innovation and stimulate dialogue and participation in a unique revolutionary and proactive manner resulting in the optimal benefit of information exchange.

About du

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du’s nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers customers the choice between ‘more credit’, ‘more time’ and now the ‘more international’ recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world-class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

du products and services for consumers and business are available through du’s retail network, currently numbering 34 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, including the recently opened flagship store located in the heart of Abu Dhabi. In addition, customers can access du products and services at more than 3000 authorised dealers or through the du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one-stop-shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of service bills.

du is 39.5 per cent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 per cent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 per cent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Awards to date

• du selected as a UAE Superbrand at the Superbrands awards gala 2010.
• du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK’s EuroWeek
• du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.
• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008.
• du declared ‘Best Brand’ at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success.
• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007.
• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007.
• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007.

For further information, please contact:

Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Or

Gregory Henderson
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676 324
Mobile: +971 55 495 6487
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: gregory.henderson@dubai.mslpr.com