The Jordan–Syria Telecommunications and Information Technology Forum opened in Damascus on Friday. The event is organized by the Jordanian Information and Communications Technology Association (Int@j), in cooperation with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Technology. More than 200 participants from Jordanian and Syrian companies took part.
اضافة اعلان
The opening ceremony was attended by Jordan’s Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Eng. Sami Samirat; Syria’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Abdul Salam Haykal; Chairman of Int@j, Fadi Qutaishat; Jordan’s Ambassador to Damascus, Sufyan Al-Qudah; and Khalil Al-Haj Tawfiq, President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Commerce, in addition to senior representatives of telecommunications and technology bodies from both countries.
Also participating were senior officials including the heads of the National Cybersecurity Council and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, as well as the Secretary-General of Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy.
In his remarks, Int@j Chairman Fadi Qutaishat said the forum reflects a shared belief that cooperation between Jordan and Syria in the ICT sector is not a temporary initiative, but a long-term joint effort that companies in both countries hope to expand.
He added that the participation of about 80 Jordanian companies—making it one of the largest sector delegations abroad in recent years—demonstrates the seriousness of Jordanian businesses in building real partnerships with their Syrian counterparts. Qutaishat noted that the delegation arrived “with a spirit of work and belief in the value of partnership,” and was met in Syria with warm hospitality that reflects the deep relationship between the two countries.
He emphasized that the common goal is to transform the forum into concrete action plans and joint projects based on long-term vision and serious planning, producing real benefits for citizens in both countries.
Jordan’s Minister Samirat stressed that the presence of the Jordanian delegation in Damascus “carries a clear message that relations between Jordan and Syria are not ceremonial but rooted in history, geography, and shared interests.” He told participating companies that the gathering is a practical opportunity for exchanging expertise, exploring new areas of cooperation, and establishing partnerships that advance the ICT sector in both nations.
Samirat highlighted the achievements of Jordanian tech companies in global markets, particularly in cybersecurity, digital payments, cloud services, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence. The participation of more than 80 Jordanian companies, he said, reflects a genuine desire to build bridges with Syria. He also noted that the strong Syrian presence demonstrates the readiness of the Syrian government to begin a new phase of development.
He added that Jordan has made major progress in digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity, and e-commerce, putting the country in a position to offer technical expertise and support to Syria.
Syrian Minister Abdul Salam Haykal said such cooperation is not routine, noting that a gathering of this size could only happen between two countries connected by deep historical, economic, and social ties. He said that “the new Syria,” seeking to build a different future, aims to form partnerships based on mutual benefit, adding that Syrian professionals possess strong technical and commercial capabilities that allow them to play a leading role in the region.
Haykal added that the true strength of the relationship between the two countries became clear during the years of crisis, when Jordan welcomed Syrians with understanding and support, creating a foundation of mutual trust. He described the current phase as one of the most challenging economic and technological transitions in Syria’s modern history, with cooperation with Jordan forming a key part of this shift.
The forum also held a ministerial discussion session featuring both ministers and Int@j’s chairman. The session addressed the current landscape of the ICT sector in both countries, development prospects, and mechanisms to expand joint investment and cooperation. Questions from attendees covered the future of technical collaboration.
Sanan Hattat of the Syrian Informatics Association said that the startup ecosystem in Syria is undergoing noticeable growth, with several examples of companies that began with small ideas and quickly expanded their operations, reflecting the resilience and creativity of Syrian youth despite difficult conditions. He added that women represent about 35% of the ICT workforce in Syria—one of the highest rates among economic sectors.
Recent statistical studies, he said, show a strong willingness among Syrians to adopt digital applications, with 4 out of 10 ready to embrace innovative digital solutions. This trend is supported by improvements in internet services and the development of digital payment systems, which are expected to drive further growth in technology adoption.
He noted that the entrepreneurship system is still in early stages, with most companies concentrated in Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs, though promising initiatives are emerging elsewhere.
Jordanian ICT Association CEO Eng. Nidal Bitar stressed that the ICT sector has become one of the pillars of Jordan’s economy. Jordan is home to more than 2,200 ICT companies, including over 490 startups, he said. The sector provides more than 46,000 direct jobs, including around 12,000 new graduates from Jordan’s 39 universities and 51 community colleges each year—demonstrating the country’s strong talent pipeline for digital growth.
Bitar added that Jordan’s business environment offers competitive advantages, including a 0% export tax, eight major international free trade agreements, and 57 bilateral investment treaties, making the country an attractive hub for tech companies seeking regional expansion.
He explained that Jordan’s digital transformation is driven by a comprehensive national strategy focused on priority sectors, e-government services, electronic payments through the “Sanad” platform, institutional data interconnection, and a supportive legal framework including electronic transactions and data protection laws.
In terms of infrastructure, he highlighted Jordan’s advanced telecommunications regulations, strong oversight from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, broad internet coverage, competitive policies that lower costs, and a robust cybersecurity ecosystem with a national strategy, a central authority, and mandatory protection standards for critical infrastructure.
Regarding the forum, Bitar said it brings together more than 240 leaders from the public and private sectors in both countries, including ministers, regulatory agency heads, and investment officials. The goal is to enhance direct networking between decision-makers and provide a clear understanding of the digital economy, telecommunications sector, and entrepreneurship landscape in both countries, paving the way for practical partnerships.
He concluded by noting that joint working groups have been developing a cooperation roadmap covering infrastructure, telecommunications, training and education, outsourcing, cybersecurity, financial technology, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.
