His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday called for a comprehensive plan to develop the information technology sector and help emerging firms in the field.

During a meeting with presidents and representatives of local IT companies, King Abdullah said the sector was important to boosting the national economy, noting that Jordan has made several recent strides in information technology.

At the meeting, Information and Technology Association of Jordan (int@j) President Marwan Jumaa reviewed the plan's objectives, which entail providing financial and administrative support to up-and-coming companies in the sector.

He also stressed the need to establish an independent body affiliated with int@j to provide financial and administrative assistance to IT start-ups.

Jumaa said the proposed unit also will be responsible for coordinating efforts between the private sector and IT innovators, adding that IT experts will develop an action plan detailing the unit's tasks, to be referred to the King by the end of the year.

The int@j president indicated that the plan will also identify the role of universities as well as the public and private sectors in developing the IT sector.