Nokia, the global leader in mobile communications reinforced recently its commitment to the Middle East and Africa area by announcing the opening of a new office in Beirut, which will cater to Nokia's business in the Levant. The office is the first for Beirut and Lebanon and will also be critical in Nokia's ongoing efforts to build presence in the area and in strengthening relationships with governments and key industry players.

The office will play an important role in serving Nokia's rapidly expanding consumer base in the market by giving consumers access to Nokia's latest mobile telecommunications technologies and to the expertise that supports them.

"It is, yet again, exciting times for Nokia in the Middle East and Africa area," said Timo Toikkanen, Senior Vice President, Customer and Market Operations, Middle East and Africa, Nokia. "The mobile telecommunications industry is currently witnessing tremendous growth and Nokia is at the forefront of this growth. Our announcement today is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to our large consumer base in Middle East and Africa in general, and the Levant in particular."

"The mobile subscriber growth rate in the Middle East and Africa is one of the highest in the world," commented Walid Moneimne, Senior Vice President for Central Europe Middle East and Africa Networks, Nokia. "There are currently 2.2 billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide and we expect that by 2008 this number will reach 3 billion, with much of that growth happening in the Middle East and Africa area."

The addition of the Beirut office to the many offices that the company has set up recently across Middle East and Africa reflects the company's commitment to getting closer and closer to its consumers, distributors and operators.