Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan inaugurated today The 7th Annual Media and Telecommunications Convergence Conference taking place in Amman at the Four Seasons Hotel. The massive two-day conference brings together top regional and global media and telecoms industry executives.
Princess Sumaya, President of Al Hassan Science City and the Royal Scientific Society, called for the establishment of national strategies and regional networks to support scientific innovation and talents.
In a keynote address at the conference’s opening ceremony this morning, she highlighted Al Hassan Science City’s efforts towards bridging the gap between the Kingdom and developed countries with the aim of setting up an information economy and empowering Jordan to enter international markets.
Addressing more than 530 executives from 180 companies representing 22 Countries, she highlighted the obstacles to innovation and creativity in the Arab world, which include mindsets, funds, management and market conditions, She stressed that by utilizing remedial and development strategies these hindrances can be effectively overcome.
Delegates at the conference, which was organized by the Arab Advisors Group, heard her emphasise the importance of creating an obstacle-free environment that is conducive to the development of talent to achieve real progress, which she stated is an objective that all parties should share in order to establish a strong pro-development infrastructure.
She added that education is the first step to changing conventional and outdated mentalities, and called upon Arab countries to invest in knowledge and scientific research starting from elementary schools and ending with professional training centres, which would positively impact the sustainable development process.
She also highlighted the importance of Financial support in promoting innovation, and confirmed that good management helps innovators and investors work together to tap into global markets.
Delegates at the official opening ceremony were also addressed by Mr. Marwan Juma (Jordan’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology), and on this occasion the minister said: “Convergence presents us with a great opportunity that the Media and Telecom business can greatly benefit from, as new sources of revenue are emerging”. Mr. Juma added: “The government is committed to providing a flexible legislative and regulatory environment that nurtures competitiveness and reflects the growing convergence in the ICT sector as evident in the Statement of Government Policy 2007 and the new Telecom Law draft which converges the Telecom Regulatory and Visual Audio commissions into one entity”
"The ICT and media industry in Jordan and the Arab World has received heightened regional and global attention aided by the strong support of visionary leaders exemplified by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The Arab Advisors Group is very pleased to have HRH Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan's support which underlines the importance she places on advancing the ICT and media industries in Jordan and the Arab World at large.", Mr. Jawad J. Abbassi, Arab Advisors Founder and General Manager said. "This annual media and telecoms convergence conference has become the premiere regional event for the media and telecoms industries evidenced by the strong support from the sponsors and the level and numbers of speakers and delegates" Mr. Abbassi added.
The main sponsor of the 7th Media and Telecoms Convergence Conference is Orga Systems. The annual conference also received the support and sponsorships of Qualcomm, ESKADENIA Software, Asiacell, Orange, Ericsson, Itisaluna, Zain, Umniah – Batelco and Motorola.
