Jordan has succeeded in creating and developing a highly-competitive information and communications technology (“ICT”) sector which is considered one of the pioneering sectors in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Jordan’s ICT sector attracts an average of $150 million in annual investment.1 The ICT sector in Jordan serves larger markets in the region in the age of technology and innovation and contributes significantly to the county’s increasing globalization.
Jordan provides the type of lucrative ICT environment required by international companies. The Country is a regional hub for tech start-ups that serve the wider MENA region. The ICT-focused educational system, the presence of venture capital, a business friendly environment, and low start-up costs are only a few aspects of Jordan’s ICT sector that contribute to the ease of doing business in Jordan. In 2016 the Country launched the REACH2025 initiative to streamline the digital transformation of the Jordanian economy. The initiative encourages public-private collaboration, moving the country towards the digitalization of other major sectors. The sector experienced a 7.23% annual revenue growth rate in the 2016-2017 year, contributing to a significant portion of the country’s overall growth in GDP that year.2 With total-sector employment of 17,412, Jordan’s ICT sector encompasses endless opportunities for successful business and investors.
JIBA, along with its valuable member INT@J will work together to establish Business to Business partnerships as well as positioning Jordan as a source of labor provider of qualified ICT skillset.
Ireland is the second largest exporter of computer and IT services in the world. With a highly creative and talented workforce, an open economy and a competitive corporate tax environment, Ireland has successfully attracted eight of the top 10 global information technology companies to establish a significant presence here.
The sector’s traditional players with long-established operations – such as Intel, HP, IBM, Microsoft and Apple – have now been joined by newer firms at the vanguard of the internet and social media revolution, including Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, PayPal, eBay and most recently Twitter. Their arrival has firmly positioned Ireland as the internet capital of Europe.
Ireland is the also the European data centre location of choice for world leaders including IBM, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, MSN and Adobe and is now poised to become a global cloud centre of excellence.
Our worldwide reputation for creativity and communication is also fuelling the interest of games companies, with Big Fish, EA, Havok, DemonWare, PopCap, Zynga, Riot Games and Jolt all having a significant presence here.
Start-ups seeking a highly educated, highly functional workforce equipped with modern skills and ‘can do’ attitudes will find exactly what they need in Ireland.