EU CBTA Project

Introduction

Economic cooperation between Jordan and the EU was formalized in a cooperation agreement in 1977. Over the years, Jordan and the EU have consolidated their close partnership, in particular in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and of the Union for the Mediterranean. The EU-Jordan Association Agreement that entered into force in May 2002 further strengthened the bilateral ties. In October 2010, Jordan was granted the “Advanced Status” partnership and the new EU-Jordan ENP Action Plan was finalized. These two achievements set the framework for enhanced relations and reflect mutual commitment to achieving closer integration. The ENP Action Plan is part of the European Union’s response to Jordan’s economic reform agenda as set out in the Jordan National Agenda.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Project

Under the cooperation between European Union and the Government of Jordan in the framework of the ENP, a Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Project for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply (MITS) has been implemented.

The project targets activities to enhance the institutional capacity of the MITS in involved with trade and industry development in Jordan. The project enables the MITS to deal with the main objectives of Jordan’s Economic Reform Agenda as set out in the Jordan National Agenda towards increased economic growth and job creation.

Project cornerstones and stakeholder

The project has a budget of about 2 million EURO and an implementation period of 24 months and started in October 2013. The project will come to a conclusion on 28 February 2016.

The beneficiary of this EU Assistance and Capacity Building project is the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply and namely the following directorates: Industrial Property Protection, Foreign Trade Policy & Relations, National Production Protection, Commercial Registry, Competition, Industrial Development, as well as to-be established Consumer Protection.

The Assistance targets specifically formulating Strategies and Policies, Increase Public Awareness on Policies by Advocacy and Promotion Campaigns, different Training Activities, E-Government (procedures & IT applications), On-the-job training towards policy implementation, organising study tours and facilitate conference attendances abroad, as well as Institutional and Regulatory Development comprising the revision of laws and regulations.

The project is being implemented by a consortium of international partners including The British Standards Institution (BSI) as lead partner, Application Européenne de Technologies et de Services (AETS), Planet S.A and Soges S.p.A. as partners. It also comprises an EU CBTA Project Office which is established in the premises of the MITS with two permanent key experts:

Mr. Peter DE VALK – Team Leader and Key Expert 1 Industrial Policy
Mr. Stefan MOSER – Key Expert 2 Trade Policy

International and local short term experts carry out assistance over the two years and a half duration of the project. A Steering Committee supervises the project activities during the implementation period and every six months, progress reports are established.