Sharon, Gates combat poverty
Gates, Sharon announce launch of national plan to provide computer skills for 250,000 poor Israeli youths in bid to 'lessen digital gap
(Video) Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Wednesday, and the two announced the launch of a national plan to provide computer skills for 250,000 poor Israeli youths in a bid to "lessen the digital gap."
"I see great importance in the fact that Microsoft, a leader in its field, invests in Israel," Sharon told Gates. "Israel is a powerful country with regards to technology and computers, something which is pinned in the Jewish history of this small nation,” Sharon said.
Bill Gates attends Micrsoft conference in Israel
In reference to the launch of the new plan, Sharon said, "it is an important project intended to reach children that do not have access to computers; it will provide them with the opportunity to integrate in our modern life,” the prime minister added.
Sharon congratulated Gates for his 50th birthday, noting that Gates arrived in Israel on the eve of his birthday.
Gates for his part revealed plans to return to Israel in the near future, praising the Jewish State for its valuable contribution to the global high-tech industry and vowing to increase Microsoft investments.
In a meeting held at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv with Interim Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Gates noted the “excellent relations” his company enjoys with the Israeli government.
Gates signed a cooperation agreement between Microsoft and the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Under the agreement, funds provided by the giant software provider will be allocated to start-up companies, who will receive assistance in developing new ideas, manufacturing new products and eventually launching them on the international markets.
Among other things Israeli start-ups will receive special technological advice on Microsoft products as well as early exposure to new products.
Earlier this morning Gates said that Israel “is part of the Silicon Valley,” and praised the successful high-tech industry of the Jewish State where he is currently on a 24-hour visit.
“Israel is doing fantastic things in the area of technology and I’m excited to be here,” he said, adding the country was home to numerous remarkable talents.
Asked how come he is expanding his company’s investment in the country at a time when the trade restriction supervisor is considering to declare Microsoft a monopole and to limit its business activities, Gates replied that he “honestly” didn’t know about the move.
Gates, who is visiting the country for the first time, met with research and development heads of a number of Israeli high-tech companies, including Checkpoint, Nice, Amdocs and Verint.
Later he spoke with some 400 hundred employees of Microsoft Israel, including MSN Israel employees and those working at the company’s research and development center in Haifa.
Rony Shani contributed to this report
