Int@j breakfast meet sees labor and education a priority in ICT sector development

The breakfast was attended by a number of leading figures in the ICT sector, most notably, HE Eng. Bassem Al Roussan, the Minister of ICT.

The Power Breakfast presented an opportunity to discuss major issues pertaining to the development of the ICT sector. A number of core issues were deliberated, including the labor market and its integral relationship with the education sector and the efforts exerted by the Ministry of ICT to promote the principles of labor and education within the main pillars of the national ICT strategy, which include connectivity, enhancing development and research programs, labor and education and investment regulations that stimulate a competitive investment environment.

In his speech, the Minister of ICT discussed the objectives of the national ICT strategy, which include increasing internet penetration in the Kingdom from the current 11% to 50%, increasing the number of workers in the ICT industry from 16,000 to 32,000, and increasing the sector's revenues by threefold to reach $3bn within five years. HE Al Roussan also highlighted the main turning points and accomplishments in that regard.

Mr. Marwan Juma, Chairman of int@j, expressed his pleasure with int@j's interaction with leaders in the ICT sector, noting that open dialogue is instrumental to addressing weaknesses and enhancing strengths, particularly with relation to the theme of this month's meeting, namely labor and education.

He added, "We at int@j value the role HRH Princess Sumaya is playing in supporting education by ensuring that our youth graduate with a high level of knowledge and education. We also commend the efforts of the Ministry of ICT in achieving a remarkable progress in the sector. We reiterate our ongoing support for decision makers in their quest for making Jordan a major and vibrant ICT hub and model in the Middle East."

Mr. Juma went on to say, "We are proud that a number of notable academicians and professors are with us today. We deeply value their role in helping youth advance intellectually and scientifically, in addition to supporting Int@j's plans to bridge the gap between the number of graduates and the labor market. We are doing our utmost to properly guide the country's human capital to actively contribute to the sound functioning of the sector through a modern mechanism that corresponds to international standards."

Amongst the topics of discussion were the objectives of labour and education and its importance as a key element in the national ICT strategy, presented by Ms. Duha Abed Al-Khaliq head of the committee dedicated to the follow up on this aspect of the strategy, through which were highlighted the main initiatives undertaken in this field.

int@j (Information Technology Association of Jordan) is an ICT industry-support association that embraces Jordan's ICT businesses, with a mission to promote their advancement on a local and international level, and enhance their capacity and performance. This goes in parallel with improving the dynamics of Jordan's ICT market and catalyzing all Jordan's ICT related activities. On top of that, int@j largely contributes to influencing ICT policies and strategies.

int@j has grown from 53 members in 2000 to over 113 in mid 2008. Membership is open to all companies operating in Jordan in the fields of Software development, support, application, telecommunications, value added assembly and distribution of ICT products and services, as well as suppliers and users to these industries, and to universities and others supporting ICT training and promotion.