Minister identifies digital economy as pillar for diversification, sustainable development
The accelerating transformations in global and Arab labor markets have compelled countries to conduct comprehensive reviews of their national economies to adapt to evolving dynamics, according to Minister of Labor, Khaled Al-Bakkar.
Speaking at the 51st session of the Arab Labor Conference, held in Egypt from April 19 to 26 under the theme 'Economic Diversification as a Path to Development: Promising Economies in Arab Countries,' Al-Bakkar said the rapid pace of change has affected all three key stakeholders in the production process, governments, employers, and workers, requiring urgent action to realign economic policies.
Al-Bakkar emphasized the need to reduce reliance on traditional resources and to open up to emerging sectors capable of generating high-value employment. He highlighted the increasing influence of the digital economy on labor markets, pointing to the widening skills gap, the disappearance of conventional jobs, and the emergence of new professions.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labor on Sunday, Al-Bakkar called for substantial investment in digital infrastructure and the modernization of technical and vocational education systems. These reforms, he noted, are essential for aligning workforce capabilities with ongoing economic and technological transformations, especially in sectors such as software development, smart services, and e-commerce.
The minister identified the digital economy as a foundational pillar for economic diversification and sustainable development in Arab countries. He said that harnessing advanced technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge-based economic models is key to achieving sustained growth and enhancing regional and global competitiveness.
Al-Bakkar also underscored the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships in digital transformation projects, offering incentives for investments in innovation and entrepreneurship, and implementing training programs linked directly to employment. He noted that Jordan has established sectoral skills councils to define training curricula, set evaluation standards, and license programs in coordination with relevant authorities.
Achieving economic diversification, he said, requires coordinated efforts among governments, employers, and workers. Governments play a central role in developing enabling policies and legislative frameworks, employers invest in job creation, and workers, at the core of development, must continuously upgrade their skills and productivity to meet the needs of modern labor markets.
In this context, Al-Bakkar noted that Jordan has developed the Economic Modernization Vision 2023–2033, aimed at unlocking the country’s full economic potential and improving quality of life for citizens. The vision is built on two strategic pillars accelerated growth and sustainability under the overarching slogan 'A Better Future.'
Addressing regional developments, Al-Bakkar said the conference is taking place amid exceptional economic and social challenges, driven by escalating political instability. He cited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, caused by Israeli aggression, as a key factor adding urgency to regional labor and economic discussions.
Reaffirming Jordan’s support for the people of Gaza, Al-Bakkar said the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, will continue to provide humanitarian and logistical support. He stressed that humanitarian duty transcends borders, especially amid worsening conditions in the besieged territory.
He also congratulated the Arab Labor Organization on its 60th anniversary, expressing appreciation for its longstanding efforts to promote labor rights and policy coordination across the Arab world.
The conference brings together labor ministers, representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, and labor experts from 21 member states of the Arab Labor Organization.
Al-Bakkar leads Jordan’s official delegation and includes senior officials and representatives from the Senate, Parliament, trade unions, and business associations, including the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Association of Banks in Jordan. Petra
The accelerating transformations in global and Arab labor markets have compelled countries to conduct comprehensive reviews of their national economies to adapt to evolving dynamics, according to Minister of Labor, Khaled Al-Bakkar.
Speaking at the 51st session of the Arab Labor Conference, held in Egypt from April 19 to 26 under the theme 'Economic Diversification as a Path to Development: Promising Economies in Arab Countries,' Al-Bakkar said the rapid pace of change has affected all three key stakeholders in the production process, governments, employers, and workers, requiring urgent action to realign economic policies.
Al-Bakkar emphasized the need to reduce reliance on traditional resources and to open up to emerging sectors capable of generating high-value employment. He highlighted the increasing influence of the digital economy on labor markets, pointing to the widening skills gap, the disappearance of conventional jobs, and the emergence of new professions.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labor on Sunday, Al-Bakkar called for substantial investment in digital infrastructure and the modernization of technical and vocational education systems. These reforms, he noted, are essential for aligning workforce capabilities with ongoing economic and technological transformations, especially in sectors such as software development, smart services, and e-commerce.
The minister identified the digital economy as a foundational pillar for economic diversification and sustainable development in Arab countries. He said that harnessing advanced technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge-based economic models is key to achieving sustained growth and enhancing regional and global competitiveness.
Al-Bakkar also underscored the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships in digital transformation projects, offering incentives for investments in innovation and entrepreneurship, and implementing training programs linked directly to employment. He noted that Jordan has established sectoral skills councils to define training curricula, set evaluation standards, and license programs in coordination with relevant authorities.
Achieving economic diversification, he said, requires coordinated efforts among governments, employers, and workers. Governments play a central role in developing enabling policies and legislative frameworks, employers invest in job creation, and workers, at the core of development, must continuously upgrade their skills and productivity to meet the needs of modern labor markets.
In this context, Al-Bakkar noted that Jordan has developed the Economic Modernization Vision 2023–2033, aimed at unlocking the country’s full economic potential and improving quality of life for citizens. The vision is built on two strategic pillars accelerated growth and sustainability under the overarching slogan 'A Better Future.'
Addressing regional developments, Al-Bakkar said the conference is taking place amid exceptional economic and social challenges, driven by escalating political instability. He cited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, caused by Israeli aggression, as a key factor adding urgency to regional labor and economic discussions.
Reaffirming Jordan’s support for the people of Gaza, Al-Bakkar said the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, will continue to provide humanitarian and logistical support. He stressed that humanitarian duty transcends borders, especially amid worsening conditions in the besieged territory.
He also congratulated the Arab Labor Organization on its 60th anniversary, expressing appreciation for its longstanding efforts to promote labor rights and policy coordination across the Arab world.
The conference brings together labor ministers, representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, and labor experts from 21 member states of the Arab Labor Organization.
Al-Bakkar leads Jordan’s official delegation and includes senior officials and representatives from the Senate, Parliament, trade unions, and business associations, including the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Association of Banks in Jordan. Petra
The accelerating transformations in global and Arab labor markets have compelled countries to conduct comprehensive reviews of their national economies to adapt to evolving dynamics, according to Minister of Labor, Khaled Al-Bakkar.
Speaking at the 51st session of the Arab Labor Conference, held in Egypt from April 19 to 26 under the theme 'Economic Diversification as a Path to Development: Promising Economies in Arab Countries,' Al-Bakkar said the rapid pace of change has affected all three key stakeholders in the production process, governments, employers, and workers, requiring urgent action to realign economic policies.
Al-Bakkar emphasized the need to reduce reliance on traditional resources and to open up to emerging sectors capable of generating high-value employment. He highlighted the increasing influence of the digital economy on labor markets, pointing to the widening skills gap, the disappearance of conventional jobs, and the emergence of new professions.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labor on Sunday, Al-Bakkar called for substantial investment in digital infrastructure and the modernization of technical and vocational education systems. These reforms, he noted, are essential for aligning workforce capabilities with ongoing economic and technological transformations, especially in sectors such as software development, smart services, and e-commerce.
The minister identified the digital economy as a foundational pillar for economic diversification and sustainable development in Arab countries. He said that harnessing advanced technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and knowledge-based economic models is key to achieving sustained growth and enhancing regional and global competitiveness.
Al-Bakkar also underscored the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships in digital transformation projects, offering incentives for investments in innovation and entrepreneurship, and implementing training programs linked directly to employment. He noted that Jordan has established sectoral skills councils to define training curricula, set evaluation standards, and license programs in coordination with relevant authorities.
Achieving economic diversification, he said, requires coordinated efforts among governments, employers, and workers. Governments play a central role in developing enabling policies and legislative frameworks, employers invest in job creation, and workers, at the core of development, must continuously upgrade their skills and productivity to meet the needs of modern labor markets.
In this context, Al-Bakkar noted that Jordan has developed the Economic Modernization Vision 2023–2033, aimed at unlocking the country’s full economic potential and improving quality of life for citizens. The vision is built on two strategic pillars accelerated growth and sustainability under the overarching slogan 'A Better Future.'
Addressing regional developments, Al-Bakkar said the conference is taking place amid exceptional economic and social challenges, driven by escalating political instability. He cited the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, caused by Israeli aggression, as a key factor adding urgency to regional labor and economic discussions.
Reaffirming Jordan’s support for the people of Gaza, Al-Bakkar said the Kingdom, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, will continue to provide humanitarian and logistical support. He stressed that humanitarian duty transcends borders, especially amid worsening conditions in the besieged territory.
He also congratulated the Arab Labor Organization on its 60th anniversary, expressing appreciation for its longstanding efforts to promote labor rights and policy coordination across the Arab world.
The conference brings together labor ministers, representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, and labor experts from 21 member states of the Arab Labor Organization.
Al-Bakkar leads Jordan’s official delegation and includes senior officials and representatives from the Senate, Parliament, trade unions, and business associations, including the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Association of Banks in Jordan. Petra
comments
Minister identifies digital economy as pillar for diversification, sustainable development
comments