Key Sectors

Information Technology
Information Technology is considered among the promising sectors in Jordan as well as a gateway to opening up the country socially and economically. The government has, therefore, adopted a general policy based on taking all necessary practical actions to guarantee the development of this sector to enable it to compete on an international level, attract local and international investments, create exceptional job opportunities and provide export returns as well as whatever profits might be made

According to The Global Competitiveness Report 2004-2005, Jordan ranks in the 9th place amount 104 countries in terms of government success in ICT promotion. Moreover, it ranks in the 18th place in terms of prevalence of foreign technology licensing, see Jordan’s report under downloads.

Jordan's membership of the World Trade Organization, its free trade agreements and the signing of a special agreement for information technology form a strong base for this sector in Jordan. In accordance with the tendency to encourage investments in this sector, the government passed a law in 1999 which allows for the establishment of general or specialized areas for information technology. It also allowed foreign investors to establish technical centers or factories in these areas which opened the door to a flow of investments including the opportunity for linked electronic tourism services, assembling computers, Arabizing computer programs and establishing hubs for information technology projects and for e-employment

Two information technology and telecommunication seminars were held in 2000 and 2003 under the patronage and with the participation of His Majesty King Abdullah II as well as the participation of high-ranking representatives from international and local information technology companies. The aims of the seminars were to improve the level of information technology, work on establishing a new partnership between the public and private sectors, provide an opportunity for local information technology companies to exhibit their products and develop the capabilities of the nascent information technology sector in the country as a strategic mechanism for economic growth. Partnerships between Jordanian and international companies made great progress in the field of e-learning through computerizing the curricula and training teachers on how to use them.

The e-government initiative was also announced as were the efforts to computerize government work and use the most modern network systems in order to simplify government procedures and make them more responsive to the needs of citizens, the government and business institutions as well as save time especially for investors.

On the other hand, Jordan's recent membership of the United States of America's initiative in the field of branding is an opportunity to make huge advances in narrowing the gap with the developing world, generate economic growth and increase competitiveness. As a result of this membership, Jordanian information technology companies will be able to strengthen their capabilities through an unrestricted use of websites and e-learning and e-management models.