Abu-Ghazaleh Chairs the 9th Meeting of the Joint Board for Military Development and Innovation

AMMAN - The Joint Board for Military Development and Innovation held its 9th meeting under the chairmanship of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh in the presence of members of the Board at the headquarters of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global).

During the meeting, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that TAG.Global signed a cooperation protocol with the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), chaired by Lt. Gen. Abdel-Moneim El-Terras, to establish a factory for manufacturing laptops and tablets in Egypt. 

He further announced intentions for establishing a similar factory in Jordan and to start manufacturing mobile phones at lowest prices, which he considered a national duty, expressing his confidence in making Jordan a prosperous technological hub. 

Additionally, the attendees went over the letter addressed by Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, underlining the deep appreciation and confidence of the General Command of Armed Forces of Jordan in the abilities, wisdom and leadership of the chair and members of the Joint Board for Military Development and Innovation in improving the innovation climate in the country.

For his part, Brig. Gen. Helal Al Khawaldeh, Vice Chairman, Chief of the Staff of Strategic Planning and Defense Resources, expressed his pride in the partnership between Jordanian Armed Forces and TAG.Global, extending his thanks and appreciation for the invaluable contributions it offers in different fields. He also pointed out that the Jordanian Armed Forces are developing a study on the technological challenges and dilemmas for upcoming years to find appropriate solutions. 

Meanwhile, the attendees were updated in detail about TAGITOP-Multi and TAGITOP-Plus laptops in addition to TAG-DC tablet, which were recently designed, manufactured and produced by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh for Technologies (TAGTech), with high-quality specifications that match those of international devices at competitive and affordable prices. 

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh offered a 15% discount on TAGTech electronic products purchased by the Armed Force personnel and military retirees, and presented as a gift a set of Security & Safety Blocker Wallet which has been recently produced by TAGTech.   

The Board members were also briefed on progress achieved regarding the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University College for Innovation (TAGUCI) incubator to be ready for use by the Armed Forces and security apparatus within two months. The incubator will be equipped with all necessary tools, software and Internet connection, to be linked with the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) under the umbrella of TAG.Global and the Joint Board for Military Development and Innovation with the aim of supporting digital transformation projects and preparing the infrastructure necessary for creativity. 

The Board discussed topics relevant to innovation and creativity calling for a special focus on digital inventions to move on towards new phases of implementation. 

The attendees agreed on holding a discussion session at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum for interested staff at the Armed Forces with the aim of encouraging innovation, in addition to conducting a training course specialized in Artificial Intelligence for Armed Forces and security apparatus at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Academy (TAG-Academy) reiterating the importance of strengthening the role of the Board’s Transformation Creativity into Marketable Products Committee. 

Furthermore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh offered to cover the professional fees for registering any military personnel digital inventions, while they will still bear government fees, in addition to assisting them to network with investors or helping them turn their inventions into commercial products.

Also, the attendees discussed a detailed report on the 30 knowledge stations established at the Armed Forces and different security apparatus, accentuating the importance of giving top priority to developing their software and devices and linking them with ASREN in addition to equipping the Retired Servicemen Clubs with laptops and Internet lines, and to prepare a detailed report about them to be submitted to the concerned  entities. 

The Board also decided to hold a session during Sofex Jordan Exhibition, to be held in March 30-31, 2020, under the theme ‘Public-Private Partnership for ICT: Innovation in the Defense Industry’ and to invite Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh as a keynote speaker. 

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh highly praised the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordanian Armed Forces, in supporting technological transformations to cope with international rapid development in this field. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, for his continuous support to the Board. 

Further,  Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh expressed his pride and appreciation to the Armed Forces and security apparatus, underlining the significant role exerted by these institutions in safeguarding the country’s national security and its people under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.