Jordan Times
Monday, January 12, 2004
King pledges support for young entrepreneurs
By Sahar Aloul
SWEIMEH — His Majesty King Abdullah promised on Sunday to dedicate his meetings in the coming global economic forums to secure chances for partnership for the young private sector.King Abdullah's remarks were made to an audience of young entrepreneurs gathered by the Dead Sea for a three-day conference on fostering an entrepreneurship spirit in Jordan.
He called on the private sector, however, to first identify strategies and plans for several promising sectors.
“I shall be challenging our young dynamic private sector to take the lead in identifying sector strategies and specific plans in IT, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare and automotive industries,” he said.
While attending the session entitled, “A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur,” His Majesty highlighted several economic advantages as well as impediments facing Jordan.
“We are the only country in the region that has demonstrated positive economic performance despite the regional political uncertainty and conflict,” the King pointed out, adding “this is a result of the comprehensive reform strategies adopted a few years ago.”
He noted, however, that the country is still lagging behind on the microeconomic performance level, and he urged the private sector to improve company operating practices, input quality and labour force capacity to ensure competitiveness.
“Our global competitiveness is now being measured by our ability to improve the efficiency of skill-based production of goods and services,” the King said.
The Monarch tied the entrepreneurial pillars of openness, education, initiative and innovation to productivity growth at both the micro and sectoral levels.
Her Majesty Queen Rania also joined the 200 entrepreneurs, academic and policy makers attending the session during which three, local and international, established entrepreneurs spoke about their experiences and visions.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Minister of Administrative Development Fawwaz Zu'bi shared with the attendants his experience as an entrepreneur, first in the private sector and later the public sector. He also gave a glimpse into the entrepreneurial effort witnessed in the country during the past few years.
“What is happening in Jordan today is in a sense entrepreneurial,” he said, paying tribute to the King as the driving force behind change in the country.
Zu'bi was joined on the podium by former Netherlands Minister Neelie Kroese, and businessman and entrepreneur Arif Naqvi, who both spoke about their views on entrepreneurship in general.
The forum, held under the Royal patronage and organised by the Young Entrepreneurs Association, will also identify tools needed for bringing about change and progress for entrepreneurship including legislative and regulatory reforms, incentive-based programmes for entrepreneurs, public awareness, education and research and development.
Through its parallel sessions, the entrepreneurship forum, “Orchestrating Talents... Celebrating Success,” intends to address key elements needed for bolstering entrepreneurial spirit in the country and identify them in an action plan to be presented to the public sector.
Several sessions — ateliers — were held during the day in which participants learned about a wide range of topics, from business strategy and strategic planning to branding and communication styles.
During today's closing sessions, participants are expected to help draft the action plan detailing the mindset, environment and responsibilities required to jump-start entrepreneurship in Jordan.