Driving Jordan’s Innovation Economy
Driving Jordan’s Innovation Economy: A Conversation with Jordan’s Business Leaders
During the last decade the Jordanian economy has become a regional innovation hub, developing a robust technology sector and both raising the profile of entrepreneurship in the Middle East and drawing the notice of international investors. Partners for a New Beginning at the Aspen Institute invites you to a roundtable discussion with Jordan’s top business leaders focused on both the accomplishments and challenges of Jordan’s private sector. This event will catalyze a dialogue about the role of the private sector, and international partners, in driving economic growth, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship and tech innovation.
Key Points of Discussion
- Jordan is well-positioned geostrategically to capitalize on regional and global markets.
- Jordan is a resource-poor country in a resource-rich neighborhood. However, its political stability and human capital offer a valuable competitive advantage in regional growth sectors such as high-tech entrepreneurship.
- The greatest challenges facing Jordan’s entrepreneurs are access to early-stage capital and quality management depth to grow early-stage ventures.
- Jordan is backed by an unwavering US commitment to its success through a number of measures: economic aid, military aid, and USAID programs dedicated to growing the country’s private sector.
- While the tech-sector is the feature of most discussions, the focus should also be on SMEs across a variety of industries as opportunities to invest in Jordan’s future.
- International organizations, including the World Bank, are working to make Jordan’s private sector more conducive to innovation, with a focus on infrastructure investment and projects that increase shared prosperity.
Recommendations
- Devote international and in-country resources to promote entrepreneurship-focused education as well as vocational training.
- Investments in infrastructure and renewable energy should be a top priority.
- Women compose a large portion of the country’s untapped human capital. Bringing their skills and expertise to market through education, training, and access to finance would deliver big gains for Jordan’s economy.
Featuring:
Dimitris Tsitsiragos: Vice President, Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, International Finance Corporation
Daniel B. Prieto: Managing Director, Catalyst Advisory and Innovation Fellow, Center for National Policy
Usama Fayyad: Executive Chairman of Oasis 500
Karim Kawar: President, Kawar Energy and Former Jordan Ambassador to the US
A roundtable discussion with Jordan’s top business leaders focused on both the accomplishments and challenges of Jordan’s private sector.