It looks like Intel has big plans for their surplus this year by extending their portfolio of investments into social networking, entertainment, and VoIP—all based around Middle Eastern technology firms. AME Info leads with a bulletin on the technology giant’s investments,

Further building on Intel Capital’s commitment to provide continued support for its portfolio companies, Intel Capital provided a second financial boost to Jordan-based Jeeran (online social networking) and ShooFeeTV (web-based entertainment guide), both of which were originally funded in May 2009. Intel Capital also announced expanding its investment portfolio in the region to a total of eight with the addition of United Kingdom and Lebanon-based Nymgo (VOIP telephony services).
The announcements follow Intel’s fifth year celebrations for the Digital Transformation Initiative, established in 2005. Initiated with a pledge to aid socio-economic development in the Middle East, Intel reaffirmed its commitment to help the region grow by inspiring innovation, promoting research and enhancing education in the Arab world.

“Jeeran will use the funds to deploy city portals in each of the major Arab cities across the Middle East.” Jeeran is a social-networking web platform that looks a lot like Facebook focused on Middle Eastern culture and cities. The company, based out of Jordan, seeks to provide the Arab world with the latest social and web technologies to connect and communicate; and to empower people and enhance their lifestyle.

“ShooFeeTV will use the funds to enhance their working capital and expand their business model.” ShooFeeTV currently provides entertainment listings for Arab satellite TV, including 270 channels and over 800,000 unique entries. Also based out of Jordan, their website looks like a simple version of the TV Guide site, but for the Middle Eastern Arabic community.

“With Intel’s help, Nymgo will accelerate infrastructure deployment, operations enhancement and global marketing.” Nymgo looks like a small Skype-like VoIP deployment with their own dial pad app for PC download; they also have a SIP device (Session Initiation Protocol) app that allows mobile phones to make Internet calls. Rates as small as $.003 for calls to Hong Kong and as high as $0.011 for calling Thailand. According to their data, they’re based out of Lebanon and also the UK.

The investment quotes seem a little bit dry, but each small and medium technology buisness listed here has a scintillating mission and vision that they hope to bloom and make it big using Intel’s offered hand.