Amman: A session on information technology and digital creative industries convened at the Prime Ministry on Saturday as part of sectoral workshops, preparing for the second executive program (2026-2029) of the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV).
According to Jordan News Agency, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat outlined the sector’s strategic objectives. These include expanding markets and boosting digital exports, developing qualified digital human capital through advanced skills training and new job creation, strengthening public-private digital partnerships, enhancing Jordan’s readiness in artificial intelligence, improving the digital business climate with sustainable infrastructure, and advancing Jordan’s global competitiveness in ICT.
The goals also encompass building an enabling environment for the gaming industry, encouraging competition and investment locally, regionally, and internationally, raising awareness of e-sports, ensuring safe and healthy conditions for Jordanian players, increasing domestic events, promoting Jordan’s participation in international tournaments, and boosting the industry’s contribution to GDP and job creation.
Smeirat highlighted key enablers for the IT sector, including the issuance of the Jordanian Digital Inclusion Policy 2025, the National Strategy for Future Stations 2025, and the Blockchain Technology Policy 2025. Other measures include amendments to the 2015 Electronic Transactions Law, approval of the Virtual Assets Law, and proposed changes to the Notary Public Law in 2025. The government has also established and operates nine integrated service centers across eight governorates, designated sites for six more, digitized 1,679 services covering 70% of the target, launched an updated version of the Sanad app with 1.8 million digital IDs activated, completed phase two of the national billing system, and rolled out fifth-generation mobile services commercially in several governorates.
Major digital transformation projects include the e-passport, electronic gates at Queen Alia International Airport, digital health initiatives through the Digital Health Centre, the Ajyal education platform, and the new Data Disclosure System and Data Subject Rights System due in 2025.
For the digital creative industries, enablers include the launch of the Jordanian strategy for gaming and e-sports, studies on regulatory frameworks, establishing an e-sports and gaming hub in Amman, creating specialized centers at the University of Jordan and Yarmouk University, introducing Minecraft in 146 public schools, offering a game design and production course in six universities, hosting 13 e-sports tournaments at the e-sports dome between 2024 and 2025, and training 11 referees to become internationally accredited.
On creative industries in film, discussions focused on investment in local film production and global promotion, leveraging Jordan’s locations and infrastructure, developing local content, nurturing talent, and raising awareness. Achievements include new financial incentives to support filmmaking, plans for the Jordan Film Academy through cooperation between the German Jordanian University and the Royal Film Commission, and the opening of Amman’s first film studio complex.
Participants also reviewed outcomes from last month’s IT sector workshop at the Royal Court, ongoing projects, methodologies for selecting new initiatives, and proposals for inclusion in the upcoming program.
Attendees stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, challenges facing entrepreneurship and data centers, AI legislation, and attracting foreign talent to Jordan.