DEAD SEA, Jordan -- It was billed as "A global meeting of the minds in the heart of digital Arabia." The Jordan ICT Forum 2004 held Sept. 14-15 at the Al-Hussein ibn Talal Conference Center on the shores of the Dead Sea provided the venue for the announcement of a number of important Jordanian national information and communications technology (ICT) initiatives. These included the launch of Jordan's national ICT strategy for the coming three years, the inauguration of Jordan's Broadband Educational Network, the privatization of the Jordanian postal company and a major new initiative that aims to increase PC penetration and Internet uptake in Jordan.
GSM operator Fastlink, the Platinum sponsor of the Jordan ICT Forum 2004, also lent their support to enabling Jordan's youth by announcing that they plan to set up a new incubator. Their initiative aims to build commercial opportunities for young Jordanians.
The forum, organized by the Jordanian technology association, int@j in conjunction with the Jordanian Ministry of ICT, was itself a major example of Jordan's strong public/private sector cooperation, bringing together stakeholders from regional and global corporations with government leaders. Over 600 delegates from Jordan, the Middle East and other countries participated in the event addressed by more than 40 speakers from around the world, including King Abdallah. The keynote session of the Forum featured addresses from Cisco Systems President and CEO John T. Chambers and Dr. Fawaz H. Zubi, Jordan's minister of information and communications technology (ICT).
"The ICT forum has, in the past, been focused on our national strategies for ICT development. At this forum, for the first time, int@j and the Ministry of ICT agreed that we wanted to extend our work to a regional level because we believe that we cannot be an island. We believe that we have a great deal to give others in our region and that we can all work together to build greater opportunity on a region-wide level. All that takes is vision and the will to work together. And we believe that's there," said Marwan Juma, chairman, int@j.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the ICT forum, King Abdallah stressed that Jordan's efforts to develop itself as the region's ICT hub will benefit the entire Arab world. However he emphasized that speed was of the essence in implementing new ICT initiatives. "As we move forward, the world moves faster," the king said. He added that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region could be credited with just 1.5 percent of total world exports and that only one out of every three citizens in the MENA region finds local employment.
Cisco CEO John Chambers followed up on the king's comments with nearly an hour of remarks on the theme "Impact of IT on Business, Government and Society." Chambers informed the audience that there is a direct correlation between GDP, productivity and IT investment. He cautioned though that IT investment alone is not enough. It is how people and organizations change business or government process along with applying the technology that allows for the realization of productivity gains.
Chambers put forward some figures concerning the development of ICT usage in the region. He said that between 2000 and 2004, there was a 219 percent increase in Internet usage in the Middle East. Specifically in Jordan 273 percent, Qatar 320 percent, Bahrain 389 percent, Egypt 500 percent and Saudi Arabia 650 percent. The Cisco CEO suggested that by employing network integration technologies, the region could use its Internet networks as a strategic asset providing a platform for data exchange. Chambers noted that the Internet and education are two global equalizers and gave examples of Cisco's commitment to ICT-enabled learning. He concluded his remarks by advising that in the future, jobs will migrate to nations with the best educated work force, strongest infrastructure, innovative programs and supportive government, and he urged regional leaders to work toward developing such assets.
The Jordanian government has already made a commitment toward achieving Chambers' ideals. In a move intended to open up computer ownership to the widest possible audience in Jordan, the Ministry of ICT, Jordan Telecom, Intel and int@j have come together to launch a new personal computer ownership scheme. The plan will allow Jordanians to buy computers and pay for them by adding a small monthly payment to their monthly telephone bills.
"This important initiative aims to widen the penetration of personal computers in Jordan by reducing the barriers for people to own a PC. We're obviously hoping this brings computer ownership within the reach of people across the country for the first time," said Dr. Zubi, speaking for the Jordanian Government.
The initiative aims to make an Internet connected personal computer affordable to most households in Jordan and play a role in reducing the "digital divide," the disempowerment of people who cannot afford to buy the equipment needed for Internet access.
The first bundle to be rolled out under the scheme will combine a computer and an ADSL high speed Internet line from Jordan Telecom, which has set a target monthly price for the system together with unlimited high speed Internet access. The computer would be repaid over a period of 36 months. Further bundles are expected to follow. The scheme is to be underwritten by loan guarantees, banks and the government.
Another project that will help develop and grow Jordan's ICT sector is the incubator to be set up by Fastlink. Dubbed the Fastlink Brainbox, the incubator will encourage startup companies in the wireless and Internet technology sector. Fastlink's Brainbox was initiated to provide a nurturing environment for technology based companies that have a potential to grow into powerful profit making enterprises and also to offer investment capital to startups or ventures in the early stages of establishment.
"The move, in cooperation with businesses in the communications technology sector, is primarily aimed at contributing to the development of the industry in Jordan," said Fastlink Marketing Director Bashar Arafeh. "It works by setting the stage for entrepreneurs with creative ideas and pioneering business prospects to take their ideas into the marketplace and turn them into promising ventures. The incubator targets young Jordanian entrepreneurs who need a push in the right direction to transform their ideas into profitable businesses."
Fastlink's Brainbox will offer more than the average incubator. Apart from the usual office space and venture capital that is provided by other incubators, Fastlink plans to provide a set of added value services, including strategic and marketing consultation as well as advice on turnkey infrastructure and public relations activities in addition to training.
Arafeh called on the young entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity availed by the Fastlink Brainbox, which the GSM operator hopes will serve as a nucleus for promising businesses and contribute to economic growth in Jordan.
"Field studies and research conducted by Fastlink have proven the emerging need for this vital project, which is seen as an innovative addition to efforts geared toward the development of communication technologies that meet the needs of society," Arafeh added.
The Fastlink incubator is one example of the initiatives Jordan's minister of ICT hopes to see developed. Dr. Zubi is determined to push forward an aggressive three-year National Strategic Plan for the evolution of Jordan's information and communications technology and postal sectors.
"Jordan's ICT sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in a few short years and we are now aiming to build on that impetus to drive strong growth in capabilities, resources and opportunities," said Dr. Zubi. "There are still enormous opportunities not only to drive inward investment, but also to continue to build the assets that have been developed in Jordan and so create a dynamic and competitive environment in Jordan. We have been fortunate in the strength and longevity of the cooperation between Jordan's public and private sectors, but we will still be acting to drive that cooperation to new levels, moving forward in order to meet our goals."
Molouk Y. Ba-Isa
© Arab News 2004
