HRH Prince Hassan, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, on Monday stressed the importance of establishing a national information system in an effort to build a knowledge-based economy, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the 69th meeting of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, held virtually on Sunday, the prince indicated the need to build a comprehensive and dynamic database of resources and capabilities, to be used as indicators for economic and social plans, to move forward to a better life characterised by self-reliance.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Princess Sumaya and Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh, Prince Hassan pointed to the role of the national information system in meeting development needs in the public and private sectors, foreseeing the future, empowering human capital, enhancing community protection, managing crises and mitigating their effects.

 His Royal Highness stressed the need for useful qualitative information that is the "decisive factor” in talking about progress, stressing the need to address people in the "language of numbers” that does not favour one over another, except in achievement.

Khasawneh pointed out that His Majesty King Abdullah has reaffirmed the notion of self-reliance and that the government will devote its efforts, plans and programmes to implement Royal directives.

"Since we are on the verge of celebrating the Kingdom's centennial, we must focus on adopting knowledge in the decision-making process and drawing up policies that are based on accurate and reliable information related to societal reality,” Khasawneh said.

The prime minister pointed out that the pandemic, which affected the world, including Jordan, highlighted the necessity to keeping up-to-date with technological and scientific developments as well as accurate information to handle the pandemic and its repercussions on all sectors.

Participants, ministers and members of the council, as well as scientific and political figures, praised the role of the council in providing the public and private sectors with scientific opinion that serves decision-makers to achieve development goals through building partnerships and coordinating between relevant institutions, Petra reported.