Executive Summary

    In response to a challenge posed by His Majesty King Abdullah II early 1999, Jordan’s private Information & Communication Technology (ICT) sector developed a concept paper (June 1999) on how the country’s nascent sector can be built-up to become a major contributor to Jordan’s economy.  The paper briefly discussed how if properly supported by the government, Jordan’s ICT sector could increase export volumes, created more job opportunities, and attract substantial foreign direct investments.

  The concept paper was presented to HM, who requested a detailed strategy that outlines specific targets, deadlines, and responsible stakeholders.  The private sector was given one month to prepare a comprehensive document which was to become Jordan’s national strategy.  With the help of foreign consultants, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and its various donor agencies (the AMIR Program and the Jordanian United States Business Partnership), in addition to the contribution of several local ICT companies and other stakeholders, a comprehensive document dubbed the REACH Initiative was accordingly presented to HM in August 1999.

  The initiative described in detail how Jordan’s ICT sector could reach annual exports of $550m, create an additional 30 thousand jobs for Jordanians, and attract $150m in foreign direct investments.  The degree to which these financial targets would be accomplished depended on a number of issues that needed to be cleared, which became the initiative's recommendations, and which largely relied on the government’s support through an active and effective private-public partnership.  The final REACH Initiative was formally adopted by HM in October 1999, therefore becoming the country’s national initiative to develop the ICT sector, and also ensuring the government’s full support and buy-in.

  Since then, the REACH document has been reviewed on an annual basis and updated according to local, regional, global developments that affected the sector.  Critical incidents that had a tangible impact on the global ICT sector such as the 2000 global ICT bubble burst, the increasing regional instable political situation, and 9/11 were duly taken into consideration and affected a number of strategies and recommended actions.  In parallel, int@j, the Information Technology Association of Jordan launched a bi-annual international ICT event branded the “Jordan IT Forum”.  Renamed later on to “Jordan ICT Forum”, this event was designed to gather international leaders in the industry to brainstorm the country’s strategy, review progress made-to-date, and consider new trends that need to be taken into consideration.

  In addition to being an informative event featuring a number of workshops and sessions that address critical elements of economic development and reform, the 2003 Jordan ICT Forum 2004 will also share the most various strategies of regional countries that are thriving to create  knowledge-based economies with an empowered population that will claim its stake in today’s globalizing economy

  The Jordan ICT Forum 2004 will be held under that patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and has been scheduled for September 14-15 2004 at the Dead Sea.  More details about this leading regional 2004 ICT event can be obtained by visiting www.JordanICTForum.com, www.intaj.net, www.REACH.jo, or by contacting int@j directly.

   Background

   The “Jordan ICT Forum” (www.JordanICTForum.com) is a bi-annual international ICT industry event held in Jordan under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and is the platform to showcase Jordan's efforts and achievements to position the country as a major player in the Information revolution. Amongst others, the Forum is the main channel through which REACH is presented to stakeholders and potential partners.

   Held for the first time in March 2000, the forum attracted an extensive number of international and local industry stakeholders to discuss related issues, network, and establish business ties and contacts.  During the first forum, Jordan presented its plans (through the REACH 1.0 framework) to develop its ICT industry to the audience, and solicited feedback and input.  Participants to this forum urged the Kingdom to place heavy emphasis on strengthening the infrastructure, which was identified as the single most critical element needed then.  It was during this very forum held at the Dead Sea where His Majesty the King challenged Jordan Telecom to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure within a one-year time frame to comply with international standards.

   The second forum - held two years later in Amman and organized jointly with the Ministry of ICT – was designed to showcase the country’s enormous accomplishments, such as a modern infrastructure and a newly revised and updated business-friendly legislative environment.  The second forum aimed at attracting national, regional and international media attention demonstrating Jordan as a major player in the ICT revolution, present investment opportunities in the Jordanian ICT sector, and increased export opportunities.

   With over 1,250 individuals attending the two-day forum including key-note speakers such as Intel’s CEO & Chairman Dr. Craig Barrett, Sun Microsystems’ Chief Scientist Dr. John Gage, and most importantly HM King Abdullah II, the second Jordan ICT Forum met its most optimistic expectations and was labeled by many as the ICT event of 2002.

    The Jordan ICT forum 2004

   In addition to being an informative event featuring a number of workshops and sessions that address critical elements of economic development and reform, the 2003 Jordan ICT Forum 2004 will also share the most various strategies of regional countries that are thriving to create  knowledge-based economies with an empowered population that will claim its stake in today’s globalizing economy. The Forum will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, with a main key note address by Mr. John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco Systems.

    Mission Statement