1. 29 July 2007 Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Joe Abi-Aad President of ALSI Lebanon Soft Shore The result of a successful collaboration between ALSI and ELCIM 1

2. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) ALSI in a few words ELCIM in a few words Collaboration Framework Lebanon Soft Shore Alliance: Motivation & Market Perspectives Objectives and Activities Benefits for the Software Industry Lebanon Soft Shore The result of a successful collaboration between ALSI and ELCIM 2

3. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) The Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) is committed to improve the competitiveness of its sector by actively engaging its members in the creation, promotion and advancement of the Software Industry in Lebanon. Through its activities ALSI contributes to the development and growth of the Lebanese economy. ALSI in a few words 3

4. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Facilitating Exports and promoting the industry Development of Human Resources Facilitating access to Capital and Financing Enabling local markets Improving the performance of Companies Strengthening the regulatory framework Community building Development of infrastructure Fostering entrepreneurship ALSIs Strategy components 4

5. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) The Euro-Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernization (ELCIM), co-funded by the European Commission and the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), supports the modernization of the industrial sector in order to avoid the marginalization and exclusion of Lebanese enterprises form the global economy. ELCIM in a few words 5

6. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Analysis of Qualification Needs Competence Building Continuous Training Explore EU Markets Meet your Customer in EU Quality for Competition ALSI/ELCIM Collaboration Framework 6

7. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Software Industry need survey and workshops ISO 9000:2001 Certification Missions Software Branding and Marketing Specialized Workshops: Technical Documentation Quality Standards Human Resource management Open Source Standards ALSI/ELCIM Collaboration Track 7

8. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Strength Foreign Language Excellent Education Cultural Versatility and flexible mindset Technical Capabilities / Expertise Strong Entrepreneurial spirit Competitive Price-Quality Ratio Lebanon Soft Shore: SWOT Analysis Weaknesses Lack of Branding Needs Systematic Quality management Lack of experience in PM Procedures Needs systematic documentation Needs stronger methodology enforcement Opportunities Lack of IT resources in EU Middle eastern markets booming Proximity / Near shore Cultural Proximity Swiss Markets (French speaking) Diaspora and close ties with France Threats Political Situation Security Indian Scale and Volume Competition with North Africa 8

9. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore: Market perspectives 9

10. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore: Objectives Promotion of Lebanese software exports (outsourcing/services) Joint acquisition and implementation of projects Provision of specialised services to members (cluster services) Organisation of trainings (technical and management) Promotion of cooperation among cluster members Improving cooperation between member companies and the universities Promotion of quality and innovation Improving the international competitiveness of the Lebanese software industry Generating economies of scale and synergy effects through cooperation 10

11. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore: Activities 11

12. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore: Activities Signature of the Alliance Bylaws on July 22 nd 2007 by 17 companies Management provided by IRI / ELCIM Participation in Gitex 2007 in Dubai Prepare business mission to Europe Create a network of business lead generators in Europe 12

13. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) http://www.LebanonSoftShore.org 13

14. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore: Benefits The valuable experience of ELCIM experts in the creation of similar Clusters in Russia, Serbia and Croatia provided ALSI with the know-how for the creation of the alliance. International Positioning and Branding of the Lebanese Software Industry Access to Large scale IT projects Positive impact on the creation of jobs in Lebanon and stopping brain drain 14

15. 29 July 2007Association of the Lebanese Software Industry (ALSI) Lebanon Soft Shore For more information http://www.lebanonsoftshore.org joe.abiaad@netiks.com 15