Key characteristics of the country:

• Good network of universities, many of which are private.
  
• Despite recent improvements in the availability of funding for research, the overall level is still very low.
  
• Research is driven by the public sector as private industry contributions amount to only 4% of public sector R&D expenditure.
  
• Nevertheless the capacity of industry to acquire technology as needed is quite high.
  
• Recent establishment of both business and university oriented incubator systems as well as NACTIB a national incubator association.
  
• There is an embryonic venture capital industry.
  
• High reliance on public private partnerships for IT, education and entrepreneurship initiatives.
  
• Examples of good practice in terms of sectoral programmes and PPP.
  

Key drivers:

• High level government commitment to the development of a ‘knowledge society’.
  
• Recognised need to develop social aspects of innovation - entrepreneurship and creative thinking.
  
• Emphasis on good governance and transparency.
  
• Focus on making the most of a low level of resources.
  
• The HCST is playing an important role by developing thinking about the NIS in Jordan. The most recent RTD policy orientations stress new industry related areas such as biotechnology and new materials as areas of importance for modern industry in which to develop national competencies for the future.

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