Amman: Jordan and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in the digital and communications sectors. Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat stated that this partnership, which includes providing Syria with internet capacity, is part of the ongoing technical cooperation between the two countries.
According to Jordan News Agency, Smeirat emphasized Jordan’s efforts to utilize its advanced technical capabilities to promote regional digital integration. This initiative aligns with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a regional digital hub and facilitator of infrastructure projects.
The memorandum, signed in Damascus following the Syrian Minister of Communications’ visit to Amman, involves collaboration between the Aqaba Digital City Group’s telecommunications arm, Nightel, and the Syrian Telecommunications Company. It sets a framework for designing, building, and operating digital infrastructure for Syria’s telecommunications sector, encompassing internet services and international capacity.
The agreement includes developing an integrated fiber network connecting Damascus to the Jordanian border and linking the Syrian Telecommunications Company to Aqaba Digital City’s neutral platforms. These platforms feature data centers, a landing station, an internet exchange point (AqabaIX), cloud services, and cybersecurity solutions, enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating international data transfer.
Eid Sweis, Chairman of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), described the agreement as a strategic milestone that reinforces Jordan’s position as a regional communications and information technology hub. He highlighted Jordan’s geographic advantage as a digital bridge between continents, establishing it as a key transit point for international data.
Sweis noted that such agreements highlight the efficiency and reliability of Jordan’s digital infrastructure, which has been developed through strategic investment and planning. The memorandum is expected to diversify national revenue sources, strengthen the digital economy, and support sustainable growth in line with global digitization trends.
He also stressed the importance of deepening technological and trade relations with neighboring countries, given current regional challenges that demand increased Arab economic cooperation and integration. These partnerships offer opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building, preparing Jordanian professionals to adapt to rapid technological advancements and positioning the Kingdom as a leader in the digital sector.