DURHAM- The future is looking bright … much more so than two years ago.
At least that was the climate at NCTA’s A CEO Conversation Thursday.
A crowd of 500 or so business leaders gathered at the Washington Duke Inn to learn of future trends in technology that effect the region’s growth.
His Excellency Karim Kawar, The Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States of America, delivered an enlightening message of partnership between NC and Jordan. Like RTP, King Abdullah of Jordan is executing a Vision 2020, a private sector partnership to double per capita income and increase the country’s visibility in a global economy.
Kawar, King Abdullah and the nation of Jordan are working to secure the country as a productive competitor in the age of information technology. And they have the plans to make it happen.
“We are not an oil-producing country,” stated Kawar. “In many ways we see this as a blessing, because we do not rely on natural resources but invest in our people.”
This human capital is Jordan’s best resource and is young. Kawar quoted that 50% of the population are under age 18 and 70% are under 30. Alongside this up-and-coming workforce, King Abdullah sinks 50% of the countries budget into education to groom a society fit to compete on a global level.
Kawar lists Jordan as a ‘gateway’ to the middle-east and the European Union for American companies with the desire to do business in those regions. With over 300 million people, the country is the fastest growing technology hub, “Because we started from negative,” quips Kawar. Many organizations wanting to do business in these regions find partnerships in Jordan. This is mainly due to the knowledge Jordanians have to offer services to the Arab world.
Visit: www.jordanembassy.org
Laura Childs is a free-lance contributor to Local Tech Wire and director of client relations for Articulon, a boutique PR and marketing company in Raleigh. She can be reached via email ar laura@articulon.com
