His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday described the information and communications technology (ICT) sector "a model of enterprise" in the Kingdom, urging leaders in the industry to unlock its potential.
Addressing over 500 key players and decision makers in the ICT industry from across the globe at the opening of the 2010 MENA ICT Forum, King Abdullah reiterated his support for the sector.
“Your sector stands as a model of enterprise, showing what people can achieve when they work with conviction, passion, focus and ambition. In less than a generation, your sector has helped to alter the cultural perception of entrepreneurship throughout our country and our region,” the King said, pointing out that the sector today employs 1 per cent of the workforce but contributes 14 per cent to the gross domestic product.
King Abdullah the industry's achievements have been hard won against a backdrop of sharp economic and political challenges, noting that “regional conflicts have been a major disrupter of development”.
The King stressed that as friends of peace work together for a lasting regional settlement, “we must also, together, keep pushing for the region's economic future” with a new level of engagement, resource pooling and expertise of government, business, education, the media and other sectors.
Noting that 10 years ago, pioneering companies were still putting down roots and many others did not even exist, he pointed out that Jordan's JD2.2 billion ICT industry is expanding its domestic, regional and global positions. He cited the acquisition of Jordanian web portal Maktoob by industry giant Yahoo! last August in an $85 million deal.
“Across the industry, success is supported by a flow of new talent from our universities and new partnerships at home and abroad,” said the King.
“To our entrepreneurs and ICT labour force, to developers and product managers, to private and public sector partners and to the thousands of Jordanian youth who are studying to be tomorrow's ICT leaders, I say: Unlock the potential. Imagine the future. Lead the way. You have Jordan's full support and I am proud to count myself among your greatest champions,” he said.
At the opening of the forum, Ayman Mazahreh, chairman of the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), said the opening of the forum coincides with the 10th anniversary of the association's founding.
Mazahreh, who underlined the importance of the sector to the country's economy, added that the forum will help join forces and facilitate the building of partnerships, noting that vital global trends will be discussed during the two-day forum.
“The MENA ICT Forum 2010 is the key event for industry leaders to convene, collaborate and identify areas for development and advancement,” Mazahreh said. “Over the next few days, we will witness defining moments for the industry in our region which will crystallise regional opportunities that will shape the future for ICT and ICTES [ICT-enabled services].”
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Marwan Juma said if growth in the sector continues at its current pace, it will double in size in 10 years.
The minister underlined the importance of regional cooperation in the sector to create jobs and build partnerships.
Participants at the two-day forum will discuss current and future issues related to the sector in the Middle East and North Africa region, including regional investment climate, legislative support systems, infrastructure and communications, emerging technologies, as well as education and human capital development.
Among the topics to be discussed will be the availability of Arabic content on the web, social networking, online media and other related issues.
Over 65 speakers from leading private and public ICT and ICTES entities from around the world are scheduled to address the forum, where participants will also look into the MENA region's current and pressing ICT and ICTES concerns and latest developments and technologies.