UfM Regional Platform on Industrial Cooperation Meets to Discuss Future Synergies
25 June 2024, Online – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Platform on Industrial Cooperation convened online on 25 June 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by the European Union (EU) and Jordanian UfM Co-presidencies and hosted by the UfM Secretariat. It brought together senior officials from the UfM Member States responsible for industrial cooperation, Small Business Act (SBA) coordinators, and representatives from embassies and international organisations.
The session was officially opened by Ms Outi Slotboom, Director for Strategy and Economic Analysis at the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (DG GROW); Ms Wafa Jiries, Acting Director for Foreign Trade Policy at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply, Jordan; and Mr Abdelkader El Khissassi, Deputy Secretary General of the UfM Secretariat.
Following the opening remarks, DG GROW presented the recent EU legislation on geographical indications for craft and industrial products. This legislation introduces an intellectual property right to protect the names of renowned non-food products.
As part of the Platform’s Work Programme for 2021-2024, DG GROW and the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL)/UfM Secretariat discussed EU policies and UfM regional dialogue aimed at promoting social economy and the creation of decent jobs.
Subsequent discussions included a presentation by the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) on the Team Europe Initiative, an update from DG Trade on the UfM Trade and Investment Agenda, and a briefing from the UfM Secretariat on its activities for the current year under the pillars of economic development and employment.
Looking ahead, with the Industrial Cooperation Platform reaching the end of its current cycle, DG GROW, DG Trade, and the UfM Secretariat discussed a proposal to merge the UfM Regional Platforms on Industrial Cooperation and Trade and Investment. This proposal, in line with ongoing UfM reforms, aims to foster synergies between the work strands, thereby enhancing efficiency and impact.