The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has today announced that the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), a membership-based ICT and IT Enabled Services (ITES) industry advocacy, support, and networking association, has joined the DCO as an observer organization. This announcement provides a significant boost to the Jordanian digital technology sector and follows DCO Secretary-General Ms. Deemah AlYahya’s inaugural visit to Jordan in August 2021.

The DCO is a global multilateral organization established to enable digital prosperity for all, with a focus on digital economy initiatives supporting youth, entrepreneurs, and women. The DCO has member state countries with a combined population of half a billion people, with int@j joining as an official observer.

int@j is the first non-governmental Jordanian entity to join the DCO, following the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which joined the DCO as a founding member. This partnership will enable Jordanian technology companies to benefit from the global scale of DCO activities and initiatives, which enable the inclusive growth of the digital economy across member states.

DCO Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya said: “I am delighted to welcome int@j to the DCO as our first Jordanian observer organization. Their 20-plus years of experience in advocacy in Jordan has been a significant contributor to the development of the Kingdom’s ICT sector. int@j’s expertise in pioneering public-private partnerships will be a valuable contribution to the DCO as we build partnerships in all spheres of society to promote digital economy inclusion and make a real impact in people’s lives.”

Nidal Bitar, int@j CEO, stated: “We are proud of this cooperation with the DCO. We care about growing an inclusive digital economy as Jordan has to take advantage of its highly qualified young talents, as well as its regional and global partners.”

Bitar stressed that the Jordanian ICT sector has become an enabler for all other working sectors as it is well advanced and highly reputable, adding: “We are thrilled to join the DCO as this association enables its members to accelerate growth across the digital economy and to maximize the contribution of the sector by providing the tools required to ensure continued growth and expansion.”

The announcement continues the DCO’s ambitious global membership expansion program to partner with governments, leading technology companies, and non-profits to create global digital prosperity. The DCO agenda includes programs to enhance cross-border data flows, support for market expansion for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the empowerment of entrepreneurs, women, and youth.