Accountancy and financial software developer Sage has said it wants to see its Middle East operations grow 50% in 2009. The company will focus on small and medium businesses as well as the education, government and manufacturing sectors. It is also 'exploring opportunities' in Syria and Iran. It has appointed a new Managing Director for the region, Vikram Suri, to help drive that growth. Sage, which closed last year on just under £1.3bn global revenues, is targeting worldwide revenues of just over £1.4bn for the financial year to September 2009.