JORDAN NATIONAL INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY (2013-2017) Executive Summary Jordan has traditionally been a regional leader in developing, adopting and utilizing information and communication technology (ICT). In recent decades, Jordan’s lead has decreased over regional economies. Since Jordan is a resource poor economy and economic activity has historically been greatly based on international donors it is important for Jordan to develop independent economic competitiveness to reduce/eliminate its dependence on external donor funding. In the particular case of Jordan this can only be done through the talent, creativity and education/skill of its population. The purpose of this strategy is to provide Jordan with a defined strategy for addressing areas of specific weakness and opportunity for the purpose of improving the role of ICT in Jordan’s economic development and job creation. Robust economic development and job creation must be linked with exports. The strategy is designed to be aligned with the Government of Jordan’s Policy in the Telecommunications and IT Sectors in its recommendations.. This document consists of a five year strategic plan for the telecommunications and information technology sectors. It has been prepared in full partnership with the private sector. The plan should be reviewed and revised biannually. ICT provides a powerful paradigm for economic development. Telecommunications infrastructure is the means through which information technology products and services are delivered to consumers (for local consumption and exports). As such, telecommunications and information technology are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, an essential component to a healthy and sustainably competitive IT sector is a robust, modern, responsive and competitive telecommunications infrastructure. Without proper telecommunications infrastructure, IT products and services cannot be delivered locally or internationally as exports. High value added job creation is thus connected not only to the competitiveness of the actual IT sector but also to the importance of a modern telecommunications infrastructure. The economic benefits of information technology cannot be delivered to the economy and society without fast and competitive telecommunications. It is for this reason that this document addresses both telecommunications and information technology. ICT has evolved into an internationally known language/standard. A competent ICT professional in Jordan can develop products and services which can be implemented in and have value in global markets. It is this opportunity which is afforded by ICT which makes it imperative for Jordan to take as much advantage of this opportunity. Being able to take full advantage of this opportunity requires that the business environment be competitive with international economies. It is only in this manner that structural impediments can be removed allowing Jordan’s ability to compete to rest on the abilities of its people. As such, it is important that ICT infrastructure be continually maintained at the levels found in competing economies. Infrastructure provides a platform for new product and service development and innovation. Without infrastructure at international standards, the ICT industry will be handicapped. Many ICT companies may be developing products/services based on obsolete infrastructure which will not find an application outside of Jordan. These issues and challenges are avoidable as exports are required to mitigate Jordan’s chronic trade deficit. This strategy attempts to provide simple and practical recommendations to improve IT, ICT enabled and digital content companies’ exports as a means of increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy and to provide job creation opportunities. 6