Intaj Urges Startups To Embed Global Strategy From Inception

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, August 6 (Petra) -- Startups in Jordan must adopt business models designed for international scalability from their earliest stages if they are to thrive in an increasingly competitive and innovation-driven global economy, according to Nidal Bitar, CEO of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Intaj).
Speaking during a panel discussion at the "Innovation Village" Conference and Exhibition, which is taking place alongside the Jordan Build Expo, Bitar emphasized that while Jordan's entrepreneurial ecosystem has seen significant momentum in recent years, particularly within universities and youth centers, further progress will depend on the availability of structural and financial support mechanisms.
"Jordan offers a growing environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, especially among youth," Bitar said. "But to turn promising ideas into viable, high-growth ventures, we need a more integrated ecosystem, one that supports both local development and global market entry."
Bitar described Jordan's domestic market as inherently small and constrained by modest purchasing power, making international expansion a strategic imperative rather than a long-term aspiration. He argued that startups must consider foreign markets as part of their business model design from the beginning, particularly in sectors like technology and innovation that lend themselves to rapid cross-border growth.
He added that while recent efforts to support entrepreneurship are promising, they remain fragmented and lack the scale to generate long-term impact. Many startups, he noted, struggle to finance participation in international exhibitions or trade delegations, key pathways to export opportunities and strategic partnerships.
To address these barriers, Bitar called on the government and relevant stakeholders to develop institutional frameworks aimed at supporting the global expansion of Jordanian startups. These could include dedicated funding channels, credit facilities, and international incubation programs that extend beyond national borders.
He also stressed the importance of systematically integrating Jordanian startups into official delegations and international expos, noting that such participation plays a critical role in building global networks and promoting Jordanian innovation abroad.
Bitar's remarks reflect a broader call within Jordan's tech and innovation sectors for policies that move beyond local enablement toward sustainable global competitiveness, a shift seen as essential to the country's long-term economic modernization efforts.

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