Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Jordan Vision 2020 addresses enterprise development as engine for growth
AMMAN (JT) — Growth dynamics affecting the local
economy are taking centre stage across private sector circles as the Kingdom
begins implementation of sector strategies developed during the second phase of
implementing Jordan Vision (JV)2020; a private sector-led initiative aimed at
leveraging economic development via reaching sustainable growth rates by the
year 2020.
This phase, which was officially launched during a ceremony held under the
patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, involves the development of
sector-specific strategies set by leading stakeholders in 10 key industries
including tourism, textiles and garments, food processing, ICT, stone and
marble, fruit and vegetables exports and pharmaceuticals besides services in the
medical, higher education and architecture and engineering spheres.
The completion of JV2020 II comes at decisive times in Jordan's socio-economic
development.
Despite improved growth rates in the past five years, the country has averaged
only 0.3 per cent per person over a 25-year span, according to recent
statistics.
Economists believe this figure is insufficient to improve the quality of life
for a rapidly growing population. The current figure also falls below the pace
required to meet the goal set by King Abdullah in 2000 to double the Kingdom's
real income within 20 years.
“JV2020 is a national strategy for growth with the aim of uplifting the
country's current economic status to a level where it can sustain growth across
dynamic business clusters,” says Lina Hundeileh, president of the Young
Entrepreneurs Association (YEA), the entity responsible for liaison between the
different stakeholders of JV2020.
Working in parallel with the National Agenda, the new phase of JV2020 will focus
mainly on the development of enterprise as a key factor in economic
sustainability, taking into account human resources as the driver behind
self-reliance in a global competitive world.
“Jordan does not have a natural resource legacy in terms of the normal
definition. It has nevertheless important resources that must be fully
recognised and prioritised in the context of future development. Principal among
these resources are its people,” explains Hundeileh.
“More specifically, Jordan's people are private entrepreneurs and business
leaders who compete in the global marketplace; it is they who are ultimately
responsible for achieving the country?s economic success,” she stresses.
In partnership with government, 10 business associations have formed the JV2020
Coalition to advocate for necessary reforms and develop strategies that can
enhance Jordan's economic performance over the next 15 years.
These are the result of an intensive, three-year process of focus-group
meetings, surveys, and research coordinated by a YEA special unit, in
collaboration with the National Competitiveness Team at the Jordanian Ministry
of Planning and International Cooperation.
The second phase of JV2020 complements Jordan's recently launched National
Agenda, which includes economic targets and initiatives to be implemented by
successive governments between 2007 and 2017.
Key issues addressed by this phase include competitiveness, integration of
public sector initiatives, dynamic management of the economy, benchmarking and
sustainable employment.
JV2020 is supported by the USAID-funded AMIR programme.