SHENZHEN, China -- On April 2, Etisalat signed a strategic agreement with Huawei during the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to China.

This signing marks the culmination of many years of extensive developments in the UAE and across Etisalat's international operations, and places Huawei as a key partner in Etisalat's drive to expand its position in the global telecommunication services industry.

The signing took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, between Etisalat Chief Operating Officer, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar and Mr Ding Shaohua, Huawei's President of Global Sales and President, Middle East and North Africa.

'This agreement will help Etisalat to explore unexploited market opportunities, drive data revenues, differentiate our service offering and increase retention across our geographical reach,' said Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer at Etisalat. 'This is an important agreement and one which fulfils the promise of our long and valued relationship with Huawei, which also reflects the strong relationship the UAE enjoys with China.'

As part of the agreement, Huawei will share telecommunication industry trends and best practices from its presence and experiences in international markets. It will carry out an All-IP evolution strategy for Etisalat and develop reports and recommendations for all of Etisalat's subsidiaries. Huawei will also present a technical and services roadmap based on revised All IP evolution Strategy and operational data.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.