Bans, Restrictions, and Missed Opportunities in Jordan: 3D Printing and Drone Technology

This study seeks to estimate the opportunity lost to Jordan’s economy owing to the regulations governing two cross-cutting ICT technologies, commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) and 3D printers. In an effort to assess how restricted access to new technologies – namely 3D printers and drones – affects Jordan’s economic growth and competitiveness, the study looks at the tax and regulatory framework surrounding the technologies in Jordan. It then looks at some major worldwide applications and uses of these technologies, and assesses the potential missed opportunity costs of Jordan restricting these technologies over the years. It then provides recommendations for the Jordanian government to incetivise the commercial adoption of these technologies in ways that accommodate security concerns.