Global ICT leaders to converge at Jordan ICT Forum 2004

Key speakers from Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation, Infocomm Development Authority (Singapore), MIT Entrepreneurship Center and Digicel Carribbean Limited will be addressing many of the topics set for discussion at the Jordan ICT Forum 2004 scheduled for 14 & 15 September 2004. The Key note speech will be delivered by John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco Systems in the presence of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

"We feel certain that the ICT Forum will play a major role in defining the opportunities and promoting the regional ICT sector this year," said Marwan Juma, chairman of Information Technology Association - Jordan (int@j). "We are honoured to have such high level speakers representing leading global ICT companies. The strong interest we have seen from many of our international friends and partners further emphasizes the importance of the Forum and reflects the awareness and commitment by the international community towards the region's development."

Maggie Wilderotter, Senior Vice President of Microsoft Corporation, Lam Chuan Leong, Chairman of Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), Dennis O'Brien, Chairman of Digicel Carribbean Limited, Tae Yoo, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Cisco Systems and Kenneth Morse, Managing Director of MIT Entrepreneurship Center, will share their vision and expertise on the development of the region's ICT offering.

"Regional ICT competition has moved beyond businesses competing for market share; each country in the region is now competing to create the appropriate investment climate in a bid to lure ICT companies and ensure that their market is accelerating ahead in terms of development," said Bilal Abuzeid, CEO of int@j. "The partnerships between private and public sectors have played a key role in this area but we also have to recognise the importance of the region's development as a whole to further accelerate growth and create more investment opportunities. This year's ICT Forum aims to highlight this significant point and to promote regional cooperation with the support and commitment of the international community."

The Jordan ICT Forum 2004 is being organised by int@j and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT), and will see the participation of over 600 ICT leaders, representatives of governments and business delegations presenting case studies, proofs of concept and new investment practices and structures that aim to deliver real competitive investment value for the region's ICT growth and economic success.