Jamaica has moved closer to establishing a national intellectual property training institute after signing a letter of intent with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The institute is envisaged as a national hub for intellectual property education, training and skills development, reflecting rising demand across Jamaica’s business, creative and innovation sectors.

The agreement between WIPO and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) was facilitated by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) and signed on May 18 at the ministry’s St Lucia offices in New Kingston. It coincides with a May 16 to 20 visit by WIPO’s Director General, Daren Tang.