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Jordan’s $45M Push To Boost E-Government & Digital Economy
Authorities hope to digitize public sector services and improve infrastructure by 2025, but societal and technical challenges remain.
Jordan is stepping up its digital transformation efforts with a $45 million investment aimed at modernizing public services and driving forward its digital economy. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship recently shared plans for how funding will be allocated, with a strong emphasis on using technology to enhance the public sector. The eventual ambitious goal is the digitization of all government services by the end of 2025.
A significant chunk — 43% of the budget — will be directed toward building digital infrastructure under the E-Government Program. According to the ministry, “to date, some 60% of the estimated 2,400 government services have been digitized,” and this number is expected to grow sharply by 2025 as the government ramps up its efforts.
Despite the promising plans, Jordan faces some tough challenges: Budget constraints have previously slowed progress, and the country continues to grapple with a shortage of skilled professionals in key emerging technologies. On top of that, many citizens have been slow to adopt e-services and digital payment systems, which has further hindered the push for a modern, tech-enabled public sector.
Also Read: The Most AI-Proof Career Opportunities In The Middle East
To overcome these hurdles, the ministry emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond just implementing new technologies. Social and cultural factors also play a significant role in determining how well people embrace digital tools. Bridging these divides will be essential to ensure that digital government systems are not only implemented but widely used.
For Jordan to achieve its lofty goals, collaboration across government departments will be required, along with a strong focus on addressing societal barriers. However, with the right strategy in place, the massive investment could pave the way for a more efficient and inclusive digital future.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.
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