| Jordan
communicates at Expo
Posted: 18 May 2003
Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan celebrated
World Telecommunication Day with an event and an Expo entitled “Jordan
Communicates” organised by the Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission (TRC) at Al-Hussein Cultural Center, Greater Amman Municipality.
Key public and private representatives of the country’s ICT
sector attended the occasion.
Cosponsored by Jordanian telecoms companies-- Fastlink, Jordan
Telecom, MobileCom and X-Press-- the event coincides with the international
occasion universally celebrated on the same day every year.
The theme title for 2003, as designated by the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU), a United Nations organisation in which governments
and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services,
is: “Helping all of the world’s people to communicate.”
Representing the ITU in this event was the head of the Cairo-based
ITU Arab Regional Office.
The event’s program began with the national anthem and a
recital of the Holy Quran, followed by a short video presentation
prepared by TRC on the latest advancements of Jordan’s ICT
sector and its regulatory environment. Next was a keynote address
by the Minister of ICT, then the display of a recorded message by
Mr. Hamadoun Toure, director of the Telecommunication Development
Bureau, followed by an introduction by head of the ITU Arab Regional
Office and a series of speeches by leaders of the private sector
— Jordan Telecom, Fastlink, MobileCom, X-Press, and the Information
Technology Association — Jordan (Int@j). CEO of TRC then delivered
her presentation detailing the philosophy and values that underline
the new logo, as well as an account of TRC’s future aspirations.
The program ends with His Excellency the Prime Minister deputising
His Majesty the King in inaugurating the telecommunications Expo,
“Jordan Communicates.”
The ICT Expo, which was open to the public between 1:00 pm and
6:00 pm on the same day, showcases the achievements of Jordan’s
telecoms private sector, Jordanian Armed Forces and Royal Air force,
through a display of booths, hi-tech demonstrations, and brochures.
A museum of telecoms successive equipment generations ran alongside
the main showroom, adding a touch of historic relevance and underscoring
the enormous progression from old, through the new, to the ultramodern.
On this occasion, the Minister of ICT, Dr. Fawaz Zubi, expressed
his delight to participate in the event, adding: “TRC’s
organisation of Jordan’s celebrations of World Telecommunication
Day firmly establishes the principles that we have laid down for
the sector and emphasises the role of the TRC.”
Commenting on the universal celebrations of World Telecommunications
Day, Dr. Zubi said: “This day presents us with an opportunity
to reflect on and assess our policies and plans for the sector,
to confirm we are heading along the right path, in harmony with
the rest of the world. I am pleased to see that what we have achieved
so far, guided by His Majesty’s vision, confirms that.”
TRC is tackling the grander international theme with basic building
blocks for evolving Jordan’s ICT industry. With such building
blocks as transparency, fairness, independence, capacity building
and a progressive think tank, TRC demonstrates how Jordan can pave
the way towards a solid sector that can live up to national aspirations.
These building blocks are central to TRC’s new logo launched
at the event.
Mrs. Muna Nijem, CEO of TRC said: “Jordan’s ICT sector
has ample reason to celebrate this year’s World Telecommunication
Day, and so does TRC. Over the course of last year, the sector has
made significant strides in positioning itself closer to realising
His Majesty’s vision-- to be a regional ICT hub, with proper
regulation and fair competition. For its part, the TRC emerged with
a modernised operating and regulatory framework. As an organisation
with a new vision and an ambitious mandate, the Commission is well
positioned in today’s competitive global environment to meet
its future strategic plans.”
“By accepting to patronise this event, His Majesty is emphasising
once again the status of the ICT as a national priority that deserves
the country’s public and private sector collective commitment
and attention,” added Mrs. Nijem.
On the rationale behind launching the new logo, Mrs. Nijem said:
“We wish to establish TRC as the hallmark for the telecommunications
sector in Jordan. The operators and service providers are familiar
with us. We want the average consumer to know who we are and what
we are about. TRC’s ultimate client is the consumer. Expectantly,
our logo will be a brand and image which people can recognise and
associate with.”
The makeup of the TRC was significantly changed by the Amended
Telecommunications Law of March 2002. The new operating structure
placed a board of full-time commissioners to govern the TRC.
The law emphasised TRC’s independence as a body that protects
the interests of the Jordanian consumer and of the broader interests
of the public in a robust and healthy telecommunications and IT
services market.
The TRC leadership intends to ensure the telecommunications marketplace
in Jordan is up to global standards, in order that Jordan is primed
to effectively compete in the 21st century.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
