EU will finance innovation projects in MEDA countries

The project will also simulate networking across the MEDA region, and between the region and the countries of the European Union
 
Medibtikar is a regional program supported by the European Commission, aiming at supporting innovation in the MEDA countries.
 
Medibtikar is the acronym of a project derived from MEDiterranean and Ibtikar (Arabic for Innovation). The program started in April 2006, with a budget of 7.3Mn€, and it will run till 30th March 2009.
 
Its action lines include improving the capacity of SME supporting organizations (Innovation and Technology Centers (ITCs), TechnoParks, Incubators); setting up regional networks for technology transfer and exchange of experience; helping institutions to manage innovation issues; and promoting innovation through awareness seminars, and through a number of studies and guide books.
 
The beneficiary countries are: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, and Turkey.
 
The beneficiary organizations are public and private enterprises concerned with increasing the competitiveness of SMEs.
 
The project will also simulate networking across the MEDA region, and between the region and the countries of the European Union.
 
Sima Amir, head of the business and technology cooperation department of the Manufacturers’ Association, who participated at the Medibtikar third Textile workshop in Casablanca, held on the 17th to 20th of July 2008, noted that the main objective of this workshop was to strengthen the Medibtikar Textile Network between participating countries and local networks in each country.
 
Amir also noted that during the third Textile workshop the participants launched the Medibtikar Textile Network website.