Jordan Source strengthens Canada ties at its collaborative ICT webinar
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 www.jordansource.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Jordan tenders to buy 120,000 T feed barley, traders say
HAMBURG - Jordan's state grains buyer issued an international tender to purchase up to 120,000 metric tons of animal feed barley, European traders said on Thursday. The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is Wednesday, July 16. A new announcement had been expected by traders after Jordan made no purchase in its previous tender for 120,000 tons of barley on Wednesday. Shipment in the new tender is sought in a series of possible combinations in consignments of 50,000 to 60,000 tons between October 1-15, October 16-31, November 1-15 and November 16-30. Jordan on Thursday also issued a separate tender to buy up to 120,000 tons of wheat. (Reporting by Michael Hogan, editing by Susan Fenton)
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Zawya
Aqaba Container Terminal reports strong growth in first half of 2025
Aqaba, Jordan – Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT), the preferred Gateway to Jordan, the Levant, and beyond, announced exceptional operational results for the first half of 2025, demonstrating robust growth across all key performance indicators. ACT delivered high performance during the first six months of 2025, handling a total of 468,062 TEUs, representing a 24% increase compared to 377,456 TEUs in the same period of 2024. This strong momentum was further demonstrated in June 2025, where the terminal handled 80,172 TEUs, marking a 14.9% increase over the 69,759 TEUs handled in June 2024. The terminal's operational excellence extended well beyond container volumes, as ACT efficiently served 293 vessels during the first half of the year compared to 200 vessels in the corresponding period of 2024. Complementing this vessel activity, ACT processed 281,585 truck transactions compared to 216,071 truck transactions during the same period last year, facilitating seamless cargo flow to and from Jordan and neighboring countries. We continue to see positive trends for transit cargo via ACT over last year. This positive growth underscores ACT's expanding role as a regional hub for the Levant, connecting Jordan to broader regional trade networks and reinforcing its position as the preferred gateway for the region. "These results reflect not only the strength of Jordan's trade position but also the exceptional dedication of our entire ACT team," said Harald Nijhof, Chief Executive Officer of Aqaba Container Terminal. "I want to personally thank every ACT employee for their hard work, commitment, and unwavering dedication to operational excellence. Their efforts have been instrumental in achieving these numbers and positioning ACT as the region's preferred gateway." Mr. Nijhof further emphasized the strategic significance of these results, noting that "the 24% growth in our first-half performance demonstrates our strategic importance as a regional hub. We remain committed to supporting Jordan's economic growth and strengthening supply chains across the Levant through continued investment in our infrastructure and our people." Looking ahead, ACT continues to focus on delivering reliable service, strengthening supply chains, and supporting national and regional trade through operational excellence and strategic infrastructure investment. The terminal's strong performance positions it well to capitalize on growing regional trade opportunities while maintaining its commitment to service excellence and supporting the economic development of Jordan and the broader Levant region.
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Fine Hygienic Holding honored as Founding Member of The UN Global Compact Network Jordan
Amman, Jordan – Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world's leading wellness groups and hygienic paper manufacturers, was recently honored by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Network Jordan at its inaugural annual breakfast and general assembly meeting. This distinguished recognition celebrates FHH's significant role as a founding member of the network and its ongoing contributions to corporate sustainability. Established in 2007, the UNGC Network Jordan was founded by a select group of pioneering companies, with Fine Hygienic Holding among them. Since its inception, FHH has played a pivotal role, serving on the network board and actively contributing to its growth, which now brings together over 60 members. Osama Abu Ragheb, Jordan Supply Chain Director at Fine Hygienic Holding, expressed deep gratitude for the acknowledgment, stating, 'We are honored by this recognition. At Fine Hygienic Holding, we firmly believe in the critical role sustainability plays in shaping a responsible future, and we are committed to advancing it at the grassroots level. We are here to lead by example, helping companies across Jordan bring sustainability to the heart of their operations.' The UN Global Compact Country Networks, such as the UNGC Network Jordan, support local businesses in implementing the Ten Principles of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leveraging regional expertise, they guide companies in adopting responsible practices tailored to local contexts. Fine Hygienic Holding continues to align its operations with the UN SDGs. Earlier this year, the group received EcoVadis Commitment Badge, a 'B' Score from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and CHEP's Excellence in Sustainability Certificate. These recognitions, along with FHH's foundational support and ongoing active participation, underscore its commitment to fostering a sustainable business environment in Jordan and the region.
