Latest news with #SamiSmeirat
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan ranks 2nd among 7 Arab countries on global entrepreneurship monitor
AMMAN — Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship on Thursday released the Jordan National Report on the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024-2025. The report, launched in cooperation with the German Jordanian University (GJU) and the Jordan Strategy Forum, showed "remarkable" progress for the Kingdom in a number of entrepreneurship indicators. Minister of Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat said that the results reflect the government's commitment to supporting the environment of entrepreneurship, stressing that "accuracy" in data is the "basis" for effective policies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. GJU President Alaadeen Halhouli said that survey researches contribute to understanding the real status of entrepreneurship and better directing programmes. The report is part of project "Entrepreneurship for sustainable economic development and employment in Jordan", implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the EU. Among seven Arab countries participating in the report, Jordan came second on the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity, with a large drop in the gender gap from 9.2 per cent down to 3 per cent. Jordan also ranked second on the Existing Business Ownership Index, indicating the sustainability of entrepreneurial projects. The report recorded improvements in the enabling environment for entrepreneurship, particularly in indicators of market dynamics, government policies and support programs, and regulation of market entry. Also on Thursday, the ministry, GJU and the forum signed an agreement that aims to enhance the research capabilities and encourage regular participation in the report. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan Source launches a diplomat training initiative for ambassadors of Jordan's tech sector
Jordan Source, a program under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), hosted an unprecedented training event, marking the launch of a first-of-its-kind initiative to train Jordanian diplomats to become ambassadors of the Kingdom's technology sector. This initiative is part of Jordan Source's ongoing efforts to position Jordan as a leader in Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO), Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), and gaming sectors on the global stage. The first in a series, the event was held on 14th of May 2025, at The ARC in King Hussein Business Park. The one-day session was graced by His Excellency Sami Smeirat, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, alongside select distinguished guest speakers and diplomats. This training series aims to empower diplomats to advocate and assume the role of ambassadors for the Kingdom's talent in the technology sector around the world. The event kicked off with a welcome speech by His Excellency Sami Smeirat. During his note, he pointed that Jordan is forging its space on the regional and global landscapes, highlighting the Kingdom's outstanding development in the ITO, BPO, ICT, creative and gaming sectors. The session featured three industry leaders who shared their invaluable insights with the attendees. Each of the guest speakers specializes in a specific area: Michael Orfaly, Country Senior Partner at PwC, tackled the ITO sector, whereas Wa'ed Al Hawamdeh, Managing Director – Jordan, UAE & KSA at Concentrix, brought his expertise in the BPO field. Meanwhile, Nour Khrais, Founder and CEO of Maysalward, represented the gaming industry. These industry leaders exemplified success stories with their own companies, sharing their experiences with the attendees. Commenting on the Kingdom's rapid development in the ICT sector, HE Sami Smeirat stated, 'Jordan is carving out its place on both the regional and global stages, driven by our exceptional talent and strategic location. We have made remarkable progress across the ITO, BPO, ICT, creative industries, and gaming sectors, positioning the Kingdom as a hub of innovation and opportunity.' He further highlighted aligning with national efforts, noting that 'the launch of this diplomat training program embodies His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision of investing in Jordanian talent as the foundation for development, and aligns with the Economic Modernization Vision, which aims to accelerate growth, strengthen the digital economy, and enhance Jordan's global competitiveness. Through this initiative, we are empowering our diplomats to champion Jordan's technology sector and promote the Kingdom as a regional leader in digital excellence and innovation.' Following His Excellency's address, Dana Darwish, Program Manager at Jordan Source, took the stage to highlight the major milestones in Jordan's tech sector, with a particular focus on local talent, strategic location, and what makes Jordan a country of firsts in the region in the IT sector. Two more keynotes were presented at the event by representatives from the Youth, Technology, and Jobs (YTJ) Program at MoDEE, focusing on Jordan's advantages as a technology hub. They delved into the incentives and grants provided by the government to companies who bring their businesses to Jordan, including zero income tax, exemptions on custom duties, and no sales tax on ICT services. It is worth noting that Jordan Source is always seeking new ways to support its mission. The diplomat training program is its latest initiative in connecting businesses, investors and entrepreneurs from across the globe with the resources they need to grow, thrive, and flourish. By cultivating its local talent as ambassadors, Jordan Source reaffirms their commitment to being ideal partners for technology and innovation.
Jordan News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Third Edition of AHLI FINTECH Hackathon Concludes, Top 10 Fintech Solutions Selected for Incubation - Jordan News
AHLI FINTECH - in partnership with the Crown Prince Foundation and under the esteemed patronage of the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, H.E. Eng. Sami Smeirat - successfully concluded its highly anticipated AHLI FINTECH Hackathon, uncovering the next generation of leading fintech innovators. The closing ceremony celebrated the announcement of the top 10 teams selected to join the prestigious 20-week AHLI FINTECH incubator program. These teams will receive hands-on mentorship, develop a minimum viable product (MVP) and gain the opportunity to secure up to USD 80,000 in potential investment. اضافة اعلان The hackathon received 119 applications from six countries across the MENA region, from which 24 standout teams from Jordan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were chosen to compete. Their concepts spanned a dynamic mix of fintech verticals - including digital payments, personal finance management, financial literacy, RegTech, loyalty solutions, robo-advisory and more. The event showcased keynote speeches by H.E. Eng. Sami Smeirat, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship; Mr. Saad Mouasher, Chairman of Jordan Ahli Bank; and Dr. Ahmad Al-Hussein, CEO and General Manager of Jordan Ahli Bank and Chairman of AHLI FINTECH - alongside a series of inspiring talks and real-world insights from leading voices in the fintech and entrepreneurship space, featuring success stories and firsthand experiences. Dr. Ahmad Al-Hussein emphasized the bank's unwavering commitment to fueling Jordan's entrepreneurial ecosystem, highlighting the hackathon and incubator programs as clear examples of that vision. He underscored the importance of investing in fintech innovation and creating the right conditions for promising ideas to evolve into impactful ventures that prompt both economic growth and meaningful social change. Now in its eighth year, this milestone event is a testament to the ongoing strategic partnership between AHLI FINTECH and the Crown Prince Foundation. Formalized through a dedicated MoU, the collaboration drives forward the National Fintech Program for innovation and entrepreneurship to empower Jordan's youth, reward innovation and unlock new economic opportunities. It is noteworthy that the Crown Prince Foundation was established in 2015 to embody the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to build a bright future for youth in Jordan and his underlying belief that youth are integral to shaping the future of the Kingdom. The Crown Prince Foundation provides opportunities for youth through three pathways: Economic participation, Leadership, and Sustainable Community Development. The Foundation operates in 27 locations across the Kingdom, including offices in all governorates, providing opportunities to more than 2.2 million young men and women annually.
Jordan Times
07-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
2.9m transactions completed at gov't service centres, 1.16m visitors recorded
The total number of transactions processed through the Comprehensive Government Service Centres reach 2.9 million by the end of March (Al Mamlaka TV photo) AMMAN — The total number of transactions processed through the Comprehensive Government Service Centres reached 2.9 million by the end of March, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. Currently, the centers offer 182 traditional and electronic services on behalf of 34 government institutions and have welcomed over 1.16 million visitors to date. Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat underscored the centers' role as a cornerstone in facilitating citizens' access to efficient, high-quality services, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The minister said that the centers embody the state's vision of enhancing the citizen experience while promoting transparency and fairness through unified service points and integrated service environments. He noted that efforts are ongoing to expand the centers' geographical coverage and enhance their technological infrastructure, ensuring equal access to government services across the Kingdom and aligning with Jordan's broader administrative and economic modernisation goals. The minister reiterated the ministry's commitment to equipping the centers with advanced technologies and skilled personnel to meet public expectations and boost citizens' trust in public institutions. To date, 9 out of the planned 15 centers are operational, with full completion expected by the end of 2025. The centers aim to expand access to government services across all governorates, particularly in densely populated areas. Page 2
Zawya
06-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan Source strengthens Canada ties at its collaborative ICT webinar
Jordan Source, a program under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), has organized a virtual event in collaboration with the Jordanian Embassy in Canada, the Canadian Embassy in Jordan, and the Canadian Arab Business Council (CABC). This event underscored Jordan's commitment to fostering global partnerships and showcased the Kingdom's dynamic ICT sector to key decision-makers in Canada and internationally. Taking place on February 24, the Canada-Jordan ICT Webinar aimed to build upon existing partnerships with Canadian businesses and promote opportunities for business expansion and innovation between the two nations. It emphasized the strengthening of relationships between Jordanian and Canadian companies, as well as highlighting Jordan's youthful workforce, strategic regional position, and entrepreneurial spirit. The event commenced with a welcome address by the CABC, followed by opening remarks from distinguished speakers. His Excellency Sami Smeirat, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, provided insights on Jordan's ICT landscape and highlighted incentives that Jordan provides to investors. His inspiring words were followed by Her Excellency Sabah Al Rafie, Ambassador of Jordan to Canada, who articulated the strategic vision for Jordan-Canada partnerships and their potential to drive future innovation. During the webinar, HE Sami Smeirat highlighted Jordan's pioneering role in the ICT sector. He pointed to the sector's significant growth, contributing 5% to the country's GDP and employing over 40,000 people, with more than 7,000 annual graduates in technology and engineering fields. He further outlined the incentives and benefits available to investors in Jordan, including tax exemptions, financial grants to support market expansion and training, and a range of facilities that make the Kingdom an attractive destination for investment. He emphasized that these efforts align with the country's economic modernization vision, which aims to foster sustainable growth, encourage innovation, develop digital competencies, and establish Jordan as an advanced regional technology hub. Meanwhile, HE Sabah Al-Rafie also spoke on the importance of strengthening cooperation between Jordan and Canada, building on decades of successful partnership. She emphasized the potential of both countries and underscored Jordan's advantages as an incubator for remote businesses. These advantages include the Kingdom's strategic location, its young and dynamic workforce, its evolving technological infrastructure, progressive legislation, and competitive investment incentives. On the other hand, Louis Lacasse, Canada's Regional Trade Consul at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the role of the Canadian government in enhancing trade and investment opportunities in the ICT sector between Jordan and Canada. A highlight of the webinar was the panel discussion, titled 'Scaling Beyond Borders – Innovation & Market Expansion'. It featured industry leaders: Abdullah Snobar, Executive Director at DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures; Samer Jaffar, General Manager – EMEA at Explorance; Mohammad Kaddoura, Co-Founder and CEO at Ideal Innovation House; and Wassef Masri, Managing Partner at CrossRealms. The session delved into how outsourcing affects the communities that become part of the ecosystem. Throughout, panelists continuously referred to upskilling and training as drivers of innovation and growth. This sentiment was further echoed by Amira Qarqash, Digital Skills Development Manager at MoDEE, who touched upon Jordan's collaboration with tech providers to trainings in universities to ensure students are equipped with the necessary skills for the market. The Canada-Jordan ICT Webinar is a direct result of Jordan Source's successful delegation visit to Canada last year, which included participation in North America's fastest-growing technology conference, meetings with representatives from the University of Waterloo, and the 'Gateway to MENA' event hosted alongside the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. This event reinforces Jordan Source's dedication to nurturing strong ties between the two countries, positioning Jordan and its talent as ideal partners for technology and innovation. ABOUT JORDAN SOURCE Jordan Source is a program that aims to promote Jordan as an ideal destination for investments and outsourcing in the ICT sector, providing a wealth of support services to international businesses and investors, while elevating Jordan's wellspring of young ICT talent onto a global stage. Developed under the Youth, Technology, and Jobs (YTJ) project of the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in line with the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, Jordan Source seeks to connect businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the globe with the resources they need to grow, thrive, and flourish—all while highlighting the Kingdom's abundance of young professionals, its exceptional investment environment, and its world-class infrastructure and resources. For more information, visit
