Amman - The Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and the Intellectual Property Company "Baianat " signed today a  memorandum of understanding in JEDCO premises aimed at  providing IP services for free to the beneficiaries of " Intellectual Properties Capacities for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Mediterranean Region IPMED" Project which is implementing through JEDCO as a leader 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 Neighborhood Instrument (ENI CBCMED).

The MoU was signed by Adi Ghuneim, acting CEO of JEDCO and a representative of "Baianat" Jehad Al-Kharouf , in the presence of the representatives from both institutions.

Ghuneim said that this partnership comes from the government's belief in the importance of providing support to entrepreneurs, intellectual property protection and develop small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote economic and social development and support innovative entrepreneurs’ projects, in order to improve and develop the business environment for SMEs and promote a culture of entrepreneurship.

He indicated that JEDCO through this MoU signed with "Baianat" is working to establish ways for effective, organized and responsible cooperation between them to support and protect the creative ideas of entrepreneurs and SMEs operating in the service and industrial sectors benefiting from the JEDCO's programs

Jihad Al Kharouf praised the efforts exerted by JEDCO and its role in supporting entrepreneurs and developing local SMEs especially in these days.

He also added that there is a need to enhance and strengthen cooperation and coordination with JEDCO's efforts in order to implement the terms of the MoU, as Baianat-IP group is keen developing the partnership between the private and the public sector, and on raising awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights and their direct relationship to research and innovation, and the role of these rights in supporting the economic development.

According to the MoU, JEDCO's activities will be supported and promoted in all southern governorates, such as helding informative workshops and circulating JEDCO's programs and conditions. JEDCO will assist the University of Mu'tah in accessing funding sources from donors and investment funds by linking them to implement feasible projects in Al-Karak governorate.

According to the MoU, activities will be carried out to promote the "IPMED" Project, in addition to providing free services consultations and services related to the filing and follow-up of applications for trademark registration, industrial designs, patents for a number of IPMED beneficiaries through a selection mechanism which will be determined later, and these free services are related to JEDCO's in-kind contribution and not include any government fees incurred by applications regardless their type.

"Baianat" IP-Group will also contribute from its keenness to spread knowledge, providing free lecturers in the field of IP legal advice and participating in the activities and awareness workshops held by JEDCO to reach the maximum number of IPMED target groups.