April 09, 2023 Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship makes waves across the US during ICT Roadshow

Amman, Jordan – April 9, 2023 – The Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship recently concluded a two-week ICT Roadshow across the United States, leading a delegation of Jordanian tech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country and engaging with a wide range of key stakeholders, including potential investors, venture capitalists, donors, local government leaders and entities, and members of the Jordanian diaspora. The roadshow included stops in Austin, Texas; San Francisco, California; and Washington, D.C., and helped the ministry and its delegation forge and strengthen partnerships abroad, while creating tangible business opportunities that will ultimately further bolster the Kingdom’s ICT sector.

Making History at SXSW 2023

On the first leg of its roadshow, the ministry—through its Jordan Source program—made history as the first Arab nation to officially participate in South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the largest annual tech and culture events in the United States. Jordan Source hosted a large, standout booth at the SXSW Creative Industries Expo, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors over the course of four days. The participation also included two speaking sessions during the event, which showcased the incredible strength and potential of Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the exceptional ingenuity of Jordanian talents.

On the third day of the expo, the delegation took over the entire event with a traditional Jordanian zaffeh, or musical procession, introducing attendees to the Kingdom’s vibrant cultural riches and creating a festive atmosphere that made waves both on the ground and across social media.

During the visit to Austin, the delegation—led by the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, His Excellency Ahmad Hanandeh—also met with the mayor of the city, Mr. Kirk Watson, and discussed potential avenues for strategic partnerships. The trip to Austin was concluded by a networking event organized and hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Jordanian delegation, who invited members of the chamber on a trade mission to Jordan, inviting them to explore, visit, and invest in Jordan. 

Engaging Investors, Partners, and Diaspora in Texas, California, and Washington, D.C.

On all stops of the ICT Roadshow, the ministry and its delegation hosted and attended numerous events, including a series of strategic B2B meetings and visits with companies like Google, Microsoft, and Equinix, as well as financial and development institutions like the International Finance Corporation, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and the World Bank.

In San Francisco and Washington, D.C., the ministry organized events for the Jordanian diaspora, introducing them to its newly launched Jordan Changemakers program, which aims to engage Jordanians abroad in playing a more active role in the promotion of the Kingdom’s ICT sector globally. The ministry also held a series of exclusive events that welcomed leading tech companies, potential investors, venture capitalists, and donors, among other key stakeholders.

In Washington, D.C., the ministry hosted an event in collaboration with the DC chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, held at the Embassy of Jordan, during which His Excellency took part in an engaging panel discussion that highlighted the competitive advantages and ease of doing business in Jordan. Additionally, His Excellency made an appearance on Al Hurra TV, a US-based, Arabic-language news station; during the live interview, he highlighted the Kingdom’s attractiveness as an ICT investment destination and the incredible strength and potential of its tech sector. He also spoke about the Jordan Source program, underscoring how the program is working to provide incredible added value to businesses looking to outsource or expand their operations in Jordan.

While in Washington, D.C., members of the Jordanian delegation also had the opportunity to attend strategic meetings with the International Finance Corporation, the US International Development Finance Corporation, and the World Bank, among other financing and donor organizations.

Commenting on the success of the roadshow, His Excellency Ahmad Hanandeh said, “It was an honor to host such an exceptional delegation of Jordanian business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, who proudly represented the ingenuity, creativity, and potential of the Kingdom’s ICT sector. As part of our continuous efforts to fulfill the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, this roadshow served to further elevate the Kingdom’s international profile as a lucrative ICT hub, and to help drive strategic investments and opportunities that will ultimately support sustainable economic growth throughout the country. We look forward to building on the achievements and partnerships forged through these events, and we are eager to continue advancing our presence abroad.”