Microsoft announced the appointment of Sherif Tawfik as new General Manager for Microsoft in Bahrain and Oman. In this position, Sherif will be driving the new Microsoft global vision of ‘mobile first, cloud first’ to a diverse audience of enterprise customers, partners, IT professionals, developers and consumers in both countries. 

Sherif succeeds Tareq Hijazi, who has assumed the role of Regional Director for Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) organization in the Gulf. 

Commenting on the appointment of Sherif Tawfik, Samer Abu-Ltaif, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf said “Sherif’s strong leadership skills and his powerful mix of experience will fuel his efforts to spearhead transformation and fuel the broader impact of Microsoft in Bahrain and Oman. His expertise will add value to our customers, providing them with strategies to enhance their productivity and do more in a mobile-first, cloud-first business environment.” He added “I am confident that in his new role, Sherif will continue to prioritize Microsoft’s real impact to support the region’s economy and workforce,  by driving existing efforts to support Small and Medium Business, tech start-ups and youth innovation through various programs. This, in addition to the ongoing commitment to support and augment the strategic partnerships with governments in key initiatives designed to boost government modernization and serve both countries’ global competitiveness agenda. ”

Prior to this role, Sherif was the Director for Solutions Sales for the Middle East and Africa region driving Microsoft’s solutions multi-billion revenue and leading an organization of 300 sales and technical specialists across a region spanning 79 countries.

Sherif is passionate about people and technology.  His track record includes pioneering several capacity building initiatives with different governments across the region aiming at improving employability and developing local talent in those countries.

“I am extremely excited to be given the opportunity to lead Microsoft in the vibrant markets of Bahrain and Oman,” commented Sherif Tawfik, General Manager of Microsoft in Bahrain and Oman. “I see great potential in those two countries driven in large by the national vision and priorities, the strong base of local talents, as well as the inclusiveness and openness of both markets,” he added. Sherif explained that one of his new role’s top priorities is to continue supporting the Governments’ national initiatives for modernisation as well building great partnership with the IT ecosystem, and bringing the latest innovation to the Bahraini and Omani markets.

Since the launch of its operation in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, Microsoft has been playing an important role as a technology partner in the reform process that both countries are aiming to achieve, primarily in areas like education and social development to raise the level of awareness about IT solutions and its importance in everyone’s daily lives.