The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced a new strategic partnership with Research In Motion (RIM), and telecom operators Etisalat and Du, to foster mobile innovation across the Middle East region.

This partnership will support the TRA's mandate to encourage, promote, and develop the telecommunications and information technology industry in the UAE and across the region, said a TRA statement.

It signals a long-term commitment to address the growing market opportunities for smartphones, tablets and services that serve the needs of businesses and citizens in the Middle East, it stated.

The partnership is also committed to bringing more localized content and applications to the BlackBerry platform in the Middle East.

Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM, said: 'We are pleased to be working with the TRA, Etisalat and Du on this important initiative to support mobile innovation across the Middle East.'

'We are excited to build on our success in the region and to deepen our commitment to delivering industry leading products and services for consumers, businesses and government organizations,' he noted.

“The enormous popularity of BlackBerry Messenger in the Middle East demonstrates the potential for new apps and services in the region and this collaboration will support the local developer community to create additional rich and locally relevant apps for both BlackBerry smartphones and the new BlackBerry PlayBook,” he added.

Mohamad Bin Ahmad Al-Qamzi, TRA chairman, said the collaboration demonstrates the TRA’s commitment to sustain technological leadership in eGovernment through mobile services designed to better serve citizens throughout the region.

BlackBerry smartphones are the leading mobile communications tool in the Middle East and are increasingly adopted by our citizens for their powerful messaging and multimedia capabilities.

'For this reason, the TRA believe this initiative will help to encourage, promote, and develop more public interaction and involvement between the government and the citizens and residents through the BlackBerry platform,' Al Qamzi added.

Etisalat chairman Mohammed H. Omran said the partnership would provide more ways for our customers to take advantage of the benefits true mobility offers – both in business and life.

'Etisalat is committed in its part to expand the mobile developer community in the Middle East, as it is the true catalyst for success in the mobile economy. This partnership will also support Etisalat’s endeavours to offer more mobile banking and commerce applications to its customers,' he remarked.

Osman Sultan, CEO of du said: 'In today's increasingly networked and digital world, smartphones are playing a critical role in providing consumers and enterprises an enriching experience. BlackBerry (RIM), being one of the world's foremost providers of innovative smart phones and solutions, is an important and committed partner of du.'

'We look forward to this fruitful partnership to provide our subscribers in the UAE and the people of the Arab World in general with enhanced ways and means to increase their productivity and enrich their overall communications experience,' he stated.

The strategic collaboration will support a variety of initiatives including sustaining leadership through mobilisation of eGovernment services; expanding the mobile applications developer community in the Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service