The Jordan ICT Forum was held on the 6th and 7th of December 2006, it was organized by the Information Technology Association (inta@j) & in collaboration of the Union of Arab ICT Associations (IJMA3) ...
Amman, Jordan, October 17, 2006—Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the fourth annual Jordan ICT Forum,'Hosting the Future' is set to take place on December 6-7, 2006 at the Dead Sea to bring together thought leaders from the ICT world to review, discuss, and exchange knowledge, visions, and plans pertaining to investment opportunities to be secured in Jordan and the region.
ICT leaders from all over the globe will attend the Forum to compare progress made to date, share lessons learned, and offer potential investors with detailed information about the status of ICT in the region.
The first Jordan ICT Forum held in March 2000 saw excellent regional representation and highly successful meetings, which continued through the following Jordan ICT Forums in 2002 and 2004. Since the REACH initiative was developed in 2000, the ICT sector experienced a number of accomplishments to be proud of: The sector saw a 50 percent year by year growth; the total IT sector revenue is $580 million; and the ICT sector represents a good 7 percent of the GDP.
This year’s Forum is a get-together of some of the region’s most acclaimed authorities and senior experts for two days of thorough and insightful cross-regional exchanges on the latest developments in the ICT marketplace, gateways to digital networking, and means to capitalize on the ICT boom. Some of the major topics to be addressed during the panel sessions include: regional telecom opportunities, outsourcing trends in the Arab world, innovation and entrepreneurship centers in the region, regional media and telecom convergence, and content development for the region.
This Forum is not complete without the help of a few important sponsors, which include Platinum sponsors, Gold sponsors Microsoft and Jordan Telecom, investment partner Jordan Dubai Capital, Arab Bank as the Silver sponsor, CNBC Arabiya as the official media and press sponsor, ITP and Jordan Business Magazine as the media partners, and 3Com as the network partner, in addition to group of local companies as forum partners.
The Jordan ICT Forum is the Kingdom's premier international information and communications technology industry event, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
The Forum brings together over 1,000 regional and international ICT leaders and professionals to compare progress made to date and share lessons learned, and it acts as a gateway for international, regional, and local ICT leaders to network and explore the myriad of opportunities available in Jordan and across the regional ICT market.
The Jordan ICT Forum is a bi-annual high profile platform that showcases the region's efforts and achievements in developing the local knowledge based economies. The forum has attracted a wide range of prominent speakers and experts in the past and will continue to do so for the years to come. Attached you will find a report that was prepared after the last ICT Forum of 2004 for your reference and case building with the board.
Keynote Address Keynote Speaker
Edgar Masri Gerri Elliott
President & CEO Corporate Vice President, World Wide
3Com Public Sector
Featured Speakers
Dr. Amr Badawi Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
Dr. Amr Badawi Talal Abu-GhazalehChairman & CEO Executive President
National Telecom Regulatory Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization
Authority in Egypt
Prof. Pierro Formica Mr. Hakam Kanafani
Dean of the International Faculty of General Manager
Entrepreneurship Emirates Centre Business Development
for Entrepreneurship Oger Telecom
Moderated by
Scott Shuster
Ø About the Jordan ICT Forum 2006
The two-day event, organized by the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j) and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT), will see the participation of ICT leaders from all around the world, 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.
The Forum addresses critical elements of economic development and reform based around the issues and opportunities of ICT. It also showcases the most successful models and acknowledges outstanding leadership efforts and accomplishments through the workshops which are held during the two days. Leading experts will also discuss vital issues and relay their expertise in different topics.
This is the 4th year the Forum takes place and will include a special focus on the developments in the regional ICT industry, which is characterized by dynamic new operators, a wide range of licensing opportunities, and leading-edge IT entrepreneurs. Ongoing market liberalization, rapid take-up of the latest technologies, and new, emerging markets have all contributed to the growth of ICT in the region.
Jordan’s ICT industry is supported by a highly skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and stringent IP protection, positioning Jordan as the ideal gateway to a rapidly growing regional ICT market.
The major topics to be addressed during the panel sessions comprise of:
· Regional Telecommunications Opportunities
· Outsourcing Trends in the Region
· Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centers in the Region
· Regional Media and Telecommunications Convergence
· Content Development for the Region
In addition to feature break-out sessions involving:
· ICT for Healthcare
· ICT for Security
· ICT for Banking
· ICT for Development
· E-Business in the Region
· E-Government in the Region
· ICT for Learning
· Financing of Innovation
ICT Agenda:
Day One: Wednesday 6 December 2006
Opening Ceremony:
7:30 – 9:30 A.M Morning Late Registration (Morning Coffee)
Opening Ceremony:
10:00 – 11:00 A.M . Jordan's ICT sector is moving forward towards activating the role of the private sector, after the first phase was secured (creating an enabling environment).
. On the strategic/political level: the new ICT strategy,
e-readiness report, ICT as the engine of economic growth.
. Representing the sector by the leadership and key stakeholders.
- His Majesty King Abdullah II- Eng. Omar Al-Kurdi, Minister, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
- Mustafa Nassereddin, Chairman, Information Technology Association – Jordan (int@j)
11:00-12:00 P.M. Showcasing partnership between local ICT companies &
leading international ICT investors.
. Booths for sponsor companies and 15 int@j members.
12:00– 1:30 P.M.
o State of telecom competition and opportunities in the Arab World
o Jordan opportunities and updates: regulation, liberalization, investors
O Last Mile Alternatives: Wi-Fi and Wi-Max, VoIP and other technologies that promise to revolutionize the economics of low-cost last-mile connectivity (internet penetration)
o Mergers and Acquisitions towards consolidation
1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Lunch Break
Break-Out Sessions: 1. ICT For HealthCare
3:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. 2. E-government in the Region
- Amr Hweidi, Senior Manager, Public Sector Applications MENA Region, Oracle Corporation
- Eng. Sameh Bedair, E-Government Project Director, Egypt e-Government
- Salem Khamis Al-Shair Director, Dubai eGovernment
- Hasan Hourani, E-Government Director, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.
3. ICT for Banking
- Mohamed Al Khatib CEO, InnoKat
- Michael Wakileh, CEO, ProgressSoft
- Omar Agha, Global Chief Information Officer, Arab Bank
4. ICT for Security
- Imad Malhas, CEO, Iris Guard
4:30 – 5:00 P.M. Coffee Break & Networking
· Offshore and Near-shore outsourcing: regional and international models (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Czech Republic, India, and Ireland).
· Jordan's efforts in attracting outsourcing business in the public and private sector.
- Dr. Claude Biegel (Video Conferencing) Chief Operating Officer, DHL Express Germany and Managing Director DHL Express Central Europe
- Jamal BenHamou, CEO, APEBI
- Kaushal Shah, CEO, Aspire Services
- H.E. Omar Al-Kurdi, Minister, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology
8:00 P.M. Onwards Gala Dinner
Day Two: Thursday 7 December 2006
8:15 – 9:00 A.M. (Morning Coffee)
9:00 – 10:30 A.M.
· Does the region foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship?
· Regional business incubators, innovation parks, R&D, and entrepreneurship will be featured
· Value Creation in the Arab world
· Role of regulatory frameworks: IP laws in Jordan and the region
· Celebrating success by showcasing talents (outstanding ICT students)
- Dr. Piero Formica, Dean of International Faculty of Economics, Emirates Center for Entrepreneurship
- Maroun Chammas, President, Berytech Technological Pole
- Laith Al-Qasem, CEO, Arabian Business Consultants for Development
- Prof. Dr. August-Wilhem Scheer, Consultant Professor, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)
10:30 – 11:00 A.M. Coffee Break & Networking
11:00 - 12:30 P.M.
· Mobile TV
· IPTV
· Triple-Play: myth or reality in the Middle-east?
· Is regulatory convergence needed?
· What are the benefits of regulatory convergence?
- Hakam Kanafani GM North Africa, OGER Telecom
- Wael Diab Director of Marketing, Broadcom
- Mohsen Malaki, Research & Consulting Director Communications Group, IDC CEMA (Emerging Markets)
Workshop Sessions: E-business in the Region
- Salaheddin Chebarao GM, Neel & Furat
- Iyad Kamal, VP Vice President - Logistics & Ground Services, Aramex International Courier
· ICT for Learning
- Walid Tahabsem, CEO, Integrated Technology Group (ITG)
- Randa Ayoubi, CEO, Rubicon
· ICT for Development
- Jamal BenHamou, CEO, APEBI
- Tania Jordan, CEO, Netcorps Jordan
- Mohammad N. Fouad, Board Member, Eitesal
- Laith Al-Qasem, CEO, Arabian Business Consultants for Development
· Financing of Innovation
2:00 – 3:30 P.M. Lunch Break
3:30 – 5:00 P.M.
· Internet and mobile penetration in the Arab world is growing, offering opportunities for content providers.
· The demographics are predominantly young consumers with varied levels of disposable income.
· This session brings together content creators, platform owners and vendors to investigate what makes for compelling content and how to ensure access to it.
- Radwan Kasmiya, C.E.O, Afkarmedia
- Suhail Calis, CEO, Tocali
- Bashar Dahabreh, CEO, Info2Cell
5:00 – 5:30 P.M. Coffee Break & Networking
5:30 – 6:30 P.M. Closing Session
· This session will feature a number of key-note addresses that summarize the findings of this two-day conference, and affirm a number of actions and recommendations that need to be implemented to realize regional alliance and unity.
- Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman & CEO, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization ( TAGorg ) and H.E. José Maria Figueres Olsen, Ex-President of Costa Rica.
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