JEDCO to launch project to upgrade intellectual property practices for SMEs

AMMAN — The Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) has acquired the necessary approvals to manage and implement a project titled “Intellectual Properties Capacities for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Mediterranean Region” (IPMED), according to JEDCO.

In a statement on Saturday, the corporation noted that IPMED will be implemented in partnership with Greece, Italy, Spain and Tunisia through a total of 1.194 million euros funded by the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme for the Mediterranean Basin within the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI CBCMED).

JEDCO CEO Bashar Al Zoubi said in the statement that the main priority of the project is to develop small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote economic and social development and support innovative entrepreneurs’ projects. These objectives fall in line with national goals to improve and develop the business environment for SMEs and promote a culture of entrepreneurship.

The project contributes to the innovation potential of start-ups and young and women entrepreneurs through enhancing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) support by facilitating access to IPR and commercialisation schemes, and  strengthening IPR-related knowledge and awareness, Zoubi added, noting that the project will be implemented over the coming three years.

The CEO also stressed the importance of organising and implementing tailor-made seminars and e-learning facilities with a twofold purpose: Enhancing the capacities of public authorities and stakeholders in relation to essential IPR issues for improved policies and practice; and enhancing the capacities of public authorities and innovation brokers of all target regions for the provision of innovative services.

In addition to conducting a capacity-building phase, the project will provide services for start-ups and young and women entrepreneurs. This will allow for testing project results and provide room for potential improvement.

Following the work carried out in its activities, IPMED will submit a series of recommendations to public authorities and policy-makers for aligning national IPR policies with international best practices; thereby facilitating policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders to work on specific recommendations to that end, according to the statement.

Contributing to policy development in the field of IPR and innovation is one of the objectives of IPMED. Intellectual Property is a field where, despite intense international efforts for harmonisation, significant differences exist both in law and in practice from one country or organisation to the next. It is expected that the project activities will contribute to improving frameworks and practices in all target regions and countries, the statement noted.