NEW YORK: Jordan is looking to get on the information technology map in the Middle East and is bringing together over 65 speakers at the MENA ICT Forum 2010 to be held on October 10 in the Jordanian capital Amman. The two-day event is aimed at attracting 500 executives and decision-makers from across the globe to discuss ICT development in the region. “The MENA ICT Forum is a truly regional event and aims to place our ICT industry here in Jordan together with the regional industry,” said Abed Shamlawi, CEO of Jordan's int@j, in a press statement. “It has been ten years now since Jordan embarked on its journey to create true economic value from its young technology industry. We have faced setbacks on the way, but we believe that our industry today proves that the original goal, to create value for the nation through building a technology free environment that encourages entrepreneurialism, has stood the test of time. Today, ICT accounts for 14 percent of GDP and supports over 80,000 jobs. Jordanian companies are creating value across the region and Jordanian talent is working across the region. That's why the Forum has to be about the region,” he added. The conference aims at establishing the Middle East as a forefront for technological advancement and executives in the region are hopeful that this sort of meeting of global experts will push the region forward. “We believe that this is the sort of thing that must be done in a large manner in order to attract as many leaders in ICT,” Jordanian government spokesman Abdullah Younis told Bikya Masr via telephone. He believes that Jordan has the “unique position as being an ally to western governments and with a stabilized political system and solid infrastructure we can really develop these sectors.” “It's our aim to get through the Forum without any presentation software being used. This meeting is about raising issues, focusing on regional opportunities and taking the debate forward to create real value, real initiatives and real partnerships. The people on the stage represent some of the smartest talent in our region and internationally and we want to use that critical mass of smart people to truly move the region forwards,” said Shamlawi. “That might strike people as a big aim, but I believe it's realistic. Our region is ripe for this opportunity.” Being held at the Business Park, the dedicated ICT hub located in West Amman, the MENA ICT Forum features a content-rich agenda that covers vital current and future issues related to regional investment climates, legislative supportive systems, infrastructure and communications, cloud computing, emerging technologies, Arabic content, as well as education and human capital development. In particular, the Forum addresses these issues in a context that is highly relevant to the MENA region, giving the business community, decision makers and stakeholders a holistic overview of the region's current position, opportunities on hand, and the recommended approach for leveraging its potential. In New York, top executives are optimistic that the conference will be a success. John Bruce, a electronics and communications specialist at a top American firm, said many companies in the US are hopeful that Jordan and other Arab countries continue to “open the doors to the vast American business that wants to go overseas and set up new branches. The Middle East is a top priority.” BM
