Jordan's REACH Initiative

Strategic Pillars

Achieving the REACH goals and economic targets will require the sustained implementation of a range of actions in a number of inter-related areas. Our plan consists of focused and time-bound actions within six strategic thrusts:

ICT Industry Development

The capabilities of existing ICT services firms and the sector as a whole need to be upgraded to effectively compete in regional and global markets.

Infrastructure Improvement

Development of telecommunications and purpose-built physical facilities to increase the competitiveness of the ICT industry, and the productivity of Jordanian ICT workers.

Policy and Regulatory Strengthening

Success will require the establishment of a supportive regulatory framework for the ICT industry, and streamlining of procedures.

Human Resource Development

Long-term competitiveness depends on the ability of Jordan’s educational initiatives to produce the quality and quantity of ICT professionals that meet the requirements of the marketplace.

Government Support

Total commitment and active Government leadership is required to stimulate, facilitate and promote the software and ICT services sector.

Capital and Financing

Innovative mechanisms are required to provide funding to the industry and facilitate Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of successful companies.
  

Recognition of the potential for the ICT services industry to become one of Jordan’s leading export winners—rivaling traditional mining and tourism exports—is important. But pro-active implementation of concrete actions in each of these strategic thrust areas is critical to success. This will require integrated actions undertaken by the ICT Industry itself and the Government of Jordan.
  

Role of the ICT Industry

The strategy will succeed only if it is led and directed by the private sector. Industry leaders must continuously fine-tune strategies and actions to support the industry, and monitor the effectiveness of the actions implemented. In addition to this overall leadership role, the private sector should take the lead in the following:

• Innovative approaches to manpower development. The ICT industry can foster closer ties to the educational system, including funding and technical direction, to upgrade the quality and quantity of ICT manpower.
     

• Active support in marketing and financing. The ICT industry can collaborate to jointly undertake export marketing and investment promotion initiatives, in partnership with JEDCO, JIB and others. It can develop innovative funding approaches.
    

• Upgrading industry capabilities. The industry can spearhead initiatives to create and implement quality certification systems to world standards. Companies can collaborate to develop the necessary scale and capability to penetrate service global markets.
     

• Infrastructure provision. The private sector can provide value-added data telecommunications services and develop purpose-built facilities to meet industry requirements.  

As detailed below, exploiting this potential shall require the development of a more effective ICT industry association that can spearhead these initiatives. The unique and successful collaboration of industry players in the context of the REACH initiative can be deepened and formalized to provide continuity of these efforts.
   

Role of Government

Active and sustained support of the Government is also a key prerequisite for success. None of the other leading offshore software locations such as India, Ireland, and Israel would have succeeded without this role. The major actions of Government include the following:

• Development of a positive regulatory framework for the ICT industry. This includes streamlining of procedures, better enforcement of existing laws, modifying certain provisions of existing laws and regulations, and the development of new legislation (E-commerce) that is crucial for the long-term competitiveness of the industry.
    

• Direct support and stimulus to the ICT industry. Prioritizing development of the sector one of Jordan’s priority industry is important. Spearheading a comprehensive “E-Government” initiative shall stimulate ICT services and the educational sector. Focused assistance and more innovative approaches to provide capital and marketing assistance to the industry is critical.
    

• High-level mechanism for support to the ICT Industry. The Government should create a mechanism in partnership with the ICT industry to ensure that positive intentions and pronouncements are translated to concrete actions “on the ground.”

Throughout the world, ICT initiatives have succeeded because they were led by the private sector, but had high-level support and positive actions of Government. This partnership is the keystone of the REACH initiative.
  

Other Stakeholders

Success of the initiative will require support from a wide range of other stakeholders. These include foreign software and hardware vendors, training and technical institutes, universities and colleges. It will be necessary to involve banks (as customers, providers of debt financing to ICT companies, and issuers of credit cards to facilitate e-commerce), insurance companies, hospitals, among others. Technical and financial support of international donors will also be important.

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