Jordan ICT industry commences the fourth review of REACH

The main purpose of the REACH 4.0 will be to review the sector's progress since 2002 under each of the six strategic thrusts of the REACH report, and to set clear and realistic objectives for the coming twelve months.

The REACH Initiative Report, prepared for H.M. King Abdullah II in 1999, presented a national strategy for Jordan to develop a vibrant export-oriented Information Technology Services sector. This strategy aims to bolster the country's nascent ICT sector and maximize its ability to compete in local, regional and global markets. It takes into consideration Jordan's strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis other relevant competitors. Most importantly, it outlines a clear action plan, specifying actions to be implemented by the private sector, the Government, and by other stakeholders to ensure a favorable place for Jordan in the knowledge-based economy of the future.

During his presentation, Mr. Marwan Juma, Chairman of int@j, reaffirmed the vision statement of the national initiative, "Jordan shall become a regional ICT leader and internationally recognized exporter of ICT products and services, exploiting its core human capital advantages"; and went on to define the main objectives of the REACH 4.0, "Our main goal here is to identify one or two critical objectives per strategic thrust; to develop an action plan per objective, resulting in a comprehensive initiative; and to deploy substantial human and financial resources to realize actual results within a 12-months period" said Juma.

Each strategic thrust within the initiative, namely: Regulatory Framework Strengthening; Enabling Environment (Infrastructure); Government Support; IT Industry Development; Human Resources Development; and Capital and Finance, will be revised, and each will have a new set of tasks. Unlike previous revisions, REACH 4.0 review requires industry stakeholders to agree on a list of tasks with assigned responsibilities, which will be accounted for in 2004. The number and magnitude of tasks will be very realistic and in accordance to resources available.