Deploys New Strategy to Manage Employment Projects Centrally, Integrate Communications

CAIRO, Egypt, 12 January 2005 - Egypt's Social Fund for Development (SFD) has chosen to implement elements of the Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle Collaboration Suite and Oracle technology platform as part of a European Commission-funded initiative to develop a new management information system. The aim is to help the SFD improve the management of its financial resources, and monitor and evaluate its projects better, in order to achieve a greater level of transparency across funding allocations.

As part of its mission to develop Egypt's economy, the SFD typically funds national projects that help alleviate poverty and resist unemployment by facilitating the creation of job opportunities for entrepreneurs through providing credit, technical assistance and necessary skills.

SFD has selected Oracle to centralise and automate such functions as accounting, projects, human resources, asset management and procurement, as well as communications, file sharing and calendaring, across more than 28 regional offices and 500 professional employees based around the country. The contract covers licensing and support for Oracle E-Business Suite software modules including Financials, Purchasing, Project Costing, Project Contracts, Human Resources, Payroll, Project Management and Business Intelligence.

In addition to improved control over projects and increased transparency, the SFD anticipates a reduction in operating costs by integrating all its financial operations and creating a single instance of information on all of its projects across Egypt. As a non-profit entity, SFD will also enhance its efficiency and improve its reporting capabilities on employment opportunities creation projects and ensure compliance with donor agreements.

The SFD, which utilises funds from international organisations to eliminate poverty and align Egypt with the global economy, is implementing a new information technology project to streamline its processes. "The funds and grants are allocated from many sources, which we use to finance diverse poverty-tackling initiatives that support the small and micro enterprises" said Mohamed Mehrez, General Manager of the Financial & Administrative Affairs Group of the SFD. "This project implementation will enable us to improve the efficiency of our administration, ensuring that more of the funds we receive are spent on the causes we support rather than internal costs".

"A key objective of the implementation is to link the SFD's remote offices with headquarters, giving central management a real-time, single source of accurate information on charitable and administrative processes in play around Egypt at any given point. This level of reporting also enables us to respond promptly to geographical areas or causes that urgently need SFD assistance. "

Atef Helmy, Managing Director, Oracle Egypt, said: "This selection by the SFD gives Oracle a unique opportunity to serve the government and the people of Egypt, which is part of Oracle's steadfast commitment towards the development of this region. To be selected unanimously by such a highly professional and respected committee is quite an honour and is very gratifying."

In addition to business and communications solutions, the SFD selected the Oracle technology platform, including Oracle Developer Suite, to enable in-house application development and business intelligence.

About Oracle Corp.
Oracle Corporation is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle in the Middle East, please visit www.oracle.com/me or contact Aly Rifaah on +9714 390 9000.

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