Project launched to strengthen innovation, awareness on intellectual property rights

AMMAN — The Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) on Monday organised the launch of an EU-funded project titled “Intellectual Properties Capacities for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Mediterranean Region” (IPMED).

The project aims to develop micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises, promote economic and social development and support innovative projects.

In partnership with Greece, Italy, Spain and Tunisia, JEDCO will implement the project with a total of 1.194 million euros funded by the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme for the Mediterranean Basin within the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI CBC MED).

During the event, JEDCO CEO Bashar Zoubi said that IPMED seeks to enhance intellectual property rights (IPR), facilitate IPR access, spread IPR-related knowledge and provide various services for innovative young entrepreneurs. 

The project seeks to enhance economic growth, create jobs for locals, establish new technologies and contribute to the national economy’s prosperity, he said.

Head of the European Union Delegation Maria Hadjitheodosiou said that IPR encourages entrepreneurs’ creativity by protecting their innovative ideas. 

Promoting creativity and innovation, the EU’s IPMED project intends to grant IPR access to 1,000 young men and women in the Mediterranean area, she added. 

“The EU is committed to providing young innovators with the tools they need to transform from job seekers to creators,” Hadjitheodosiou said, adding that the project would provide strengthened intellectual property infrastructure, supporting innovators.

ENI CBC MED Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Coordinator Esmat Karadsheh said that the programme would offer a wide range of opportunities for future collaborations between the participating countries in developing different projects and dealing with common challenges.

During the event, IPMED-Jordan, its partners from Italy, Greece, Spain and Tunisia, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply and Jordanian technology incubator iPark presented in detail their IPR-related contributions to the project.