Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on Saturday attended the plenary session “Innovative Jordan” at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, held at the Dead Sea, which highlighted the innovation ecosystem in Jordan.

Moderated by CNBC’s Hadley Gamble, the session featured success stories in 3D printing, design and architecture, social entrepreneurship, funding small- and medium-sized enterprises, and software development.

President for Brand Expedia Group Aman Bhutani, CEO of Kaamen Reem Khouri, liwwa CEO Ahmed Moor, Co-Director of Amman Design Week Abeer Seikaly, Founder and Managing Director of Aspire Kaushal Shah, and Co-Founder of Mixed Dimensions Muhannad Taslaq were the featured speakers.

A short video screened at the beginning of the session highlighted innovation in Jordan and the world in sectors such as renewable energy, drone technology applications, scientific research in peaceful nuclear energy, stem cells and regenerative medicine, digital games and programming, 3D printing and other fields.

It also shed light on Jordan’s potential as a gateway to the Middle East market, a regional pioneer in electric vehicles and fighting drought, and as enjoying a progressive regulatory environment and offering an innovation-empowering ecosystem.

The session also touched on success stories and the steps required to support young innovators, develop infrastructure, draft innovation-supportive legislation, and intensify the activity of business incubators and accelerators, in addition to means to penetrate the international market and attract venture capital.

During the session, Bhutani announced Expedia Group’s plan to open a software development office in Amman employing 250 developers, in line with the company’s plan to add Jordanian talents to its international team of engineers.

He commended the government for providing substantial and quick support for companies, especially in the field of employment, noting the proficiency of Jordanians in information and communications technology.

Panellist Khouri stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in training youth, adding that companies can balance their for-profit activities with their corporate social responsibility.

For his part, Taslaq said Jordanian talents in the ICT sector are of an advanced calibre capable of competing in the world’s most creative ecosystems, such as in San Francisco.

Mixed Dimensions’ team, he noted, has registered 16 patents by young Jordanian innovators.

Taslaq said Jordanian success stories in ICT and the international reputation of Jordan’s talents will attract investors, in line with the Kingdom’s plans to become a regional hub for creativity and innovation.

Panellist Seikaly highlighted the impact of innovation on design, manufacturing, and humanitarian and relief work, such as providing shelter for refugees by designing smart tents that utilise solar energy and rainwater—a project that she is currently developing.

Jordan’s hosting of a large number of refugees, she said, has inspired her to innovate and come up with creative products and solutions to help refugees and their host countries.

For his part, Shah discussed the importance of technical innovation in generating new job opportunities, stressing that honing Jordanians’ software development talents will enable innovators to compete in global markets.

Panellist Moor highlighted the latest advances in funding and lending small- and medium-sized enterprises, calling for regional financing initiatives to increase available funds and enable companies to grow.

He said Jordan has the ideal environment to fund and nurture start-ups.

Also during the session, panellists discussed their projects and the elements in Jordan conducive to innovation and its measures to attract investments.

The session’s title is from the national media campaign launched recently to celebrate and shed light on the achievements of young Jordanian innovators and entrepreneurs, and to further establish Jordan as a regional hub for innovation.

Several royal family members, senior officials, business leaders, and high-level Arab and international representatives also attended the “Innovative Jordan” session.