Microsoft and Emirates will set up an Innovation Lab in Dubai to develop new products and services for the travel industry using Microsoft's technologies and tapping on Emirates' expertise and experience in developing IT solutions for the aviation and travel industry.

Both companies will invest in the project. Emirates' Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum and Microsoft's Bill Gates signed the agreement in Dubai.

Microsoft will work with Emirates experts in the "Dubai Innovation Lab", which will be among the first of its kind for both companies in this field. The lab will enable Emirates' IT division, Mercator, to incubate and develop creative new solutions for airline and travel customers around the world, including Emirates Airline. Mercator's IT solutions are today used by over 50 airlines globally.