AMMAN: Jordan sealed US$10mil agreement with Google Inc that allows the kingdom to use the world's leading Internet search engine for advertising.
Western-educated King Abdullah II is an Internet enthusiast who has been desperately seeking to turn his resource-barren country into a regional high-tech hub.
The ICT (information and communications technology) sector contributed an average of 20% to the gross domestic product in the last two years, making it one of the highest revenue generators in Jordan. Last year, Internet giant Yahoo! took over the Jordan-based Maktoob.com, the biggest Arabic content provider.
Under the deal, Google will reinvest US$2.5mil - a quarter of the agreement's amount - back into the Jordanian market, assisting the nascent ICT sector.
The money will be spent on different projects, including for digital media startups and to train students in online advertising, Google said in a statement.
Jordan's ICT Minister Marwan Jumaa said the deal will "go along away" in boosting the sector marketing through "know-how transfer from Google to local organisations - a crucial knowledge to have in this day and age."
Google's vice-president Carlo D'Asaro Biondo said Jordan will have far greater digital exposure.
The Google statement said 10 Jordanian businesses will be able to reach global customers more efficiently, using Google's services.
Among them are the flagship Royal Jordanian airlines, Jordan Tourism Board and other government entities. - AP
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This post is sponsored by Abby Technology Limited. Apple iPhone, Google Android and BlackBerry Repair and Unlocking
