Amman, Sept. 22 (Petra) – Jordan has secured the top position in the Arab world in cybersecurity, achieving a score of 98.6 percent and ranking 20th globally, the Information and Communications Technology Association (int@j) said on Monday.
Intaj CEO Nidal Bitar highlighted the achievement during his participation in the "Invest in the Digital Economy" forum, noting that it reflects the high competence of Jordanian youth and companies in the sector, demonstrating the country’s ability to compete globally despite its small size and population when provided with supportive environments and opportunities.
According to an int@j statement, Bitar said Jordan’s digital economy is experiencing rapid growth, driven by a technology sector comprising roughly 2,000 specialized companies and 450 startups registered on platforms supported by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF). The sector employs more than 46,000 young professionals and contributes nearly JD3.6 billion to the economy, reflecting its increasing share in the national GDP.
Bitar noted that Jordan has signed 56 investment agreements with various countries, in addition to eight free trade agreements, granting Jordanian IT products and services 100 percent customs exemptions for exports. Local investment incentives, including a reduction of income tax on multiple activities from 20 percent to 5 percent, further strengthen Jordan’s appeal as a regional and international investment hub.
He said major global companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco, Huawei and Concentrix have chosen Jordan as a regional operations center, reflecting international confidence in the country’s competencies. Around 75 percent of Arabic-language digital content online originates from Jordan, underscoring the kingdom’s leadership in this vital field.
Jordan excels in specialized fields including cybersecurity, big data, software development, mobile applications and digital financial services. The country is witnessing a surge in digital payments through initiatives like "CliQ," advancing toward a cashless economy. Promising opportunities also exist in digital health, e-tourism, e-learning, logistics particularly in the strategically located Aqaba region and the energy sector, which is moving toward green hydrogen and renewable energy projects.
Established in 2000, int@j is celebrating 25 years and plays a pivotal role in supporting private sector companies across eight main areas: human capital development, market access, innovation, digital economy, public policy, startup support, and digital infrastructure development.
Bitar emphasized that int@j works closely with government partners, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Labor, the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission, and the Digital Skills Association (DigiSkills), to upskill national talent and develop advanced training programs in artificial intelligence and deep technologies.
//Petra// AF
