int@j, the Information Technology Association of Jordan, is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry-support association founded in 2000 with the aim of improving the dynamics of Jordan's ICT market and developing the Kingdom's ICT related activities. 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, and is also open to the suppliers and users of these industries, along with universities and other parties supporting ICT training and promotion. The Association began with 53 members in 2000, ranging from the largest software developer to many smaller start-up companies, and now boasts a number of over 109 partners.
In response to a challenge put forward by his Majesty King Abdullah II in 1999, int@j directed its efforts at devising a comprehensive framework for Jordan's ICT sector, which resulted in the REACH initiative. REACH (1999;2004) is Jordan's national blueprint for nurturing a vibrant, export-oriented, and internationally competitive ICT sector. The strategy involves developing a regulatory framework, providing an enabling infrastructural environment, and offering advancement programs, Human Resource development and capital and finance.
In 2007, int@j created the National ICT Strategy (2007-2011), which comes as a continuation of the REACH initiative and encompasses a number of revised policies and directions that are aimed at taking advantage of new markets, enhancing business maturity, investing in research & development, capitalizing on regional demand, cultivating foreign investment, and improving the ICT labor market.
The Strategy defines three high-level strategic objectives to be achieved by 2011, which involve increasing internet penetration in the Kingdom from the current 11% to 50%, raising the number of workers in the ICT industry from 16,000 to 35,000, and increasing the ICT sector's revenue to reach a value of $3 billion. The Strategy also focuses on eliminating regulatory challenges to business and advocating the interest of ICT companies to ensure continued sector growth.
The cumulative effect of these policies has positioned Jordan as one of the region's most open economies to trade and foreign participation, and taxation has become relatively liberal. The government has shown further support for the ICT industry by easing investment requirements, enhancing ICT education, and passing legislation to protect intellectual property rights. As a result, annual sector growth has risen to an estimated 50% over the past few years, its generated income representing approximately 10% of the country's GDP. Jordan's determination to establish itself as the region's ICT hub has pushed it to create a flourishing, supportive business environment, making it an ideal destination for investors. It is thus no wonder that many of the industry's major players, such as Microsoft, Intel, Cisco Systems, Oracle, and France Telecom, have become investors.