Minister Hill and WIPO Director General Daren Tang Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance Intellectual Property Training and Innovation in Jamaica (Press Release)

Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Jamaica’s Business Ministry, exchanges signed Letters of Intent with Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), during a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce on May 18, 2026, establishing cooperation to support the creation of an Intellectual Property Training Institution (IPTI) in Jamaica under the WIPO Academy’s global IPTI programme. Standing to the left of Senator Hill is Mrs. Sancia Bennett Templer, CD, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and to the right of Director General Tang is Ms. Beatriz Amorim-Borher, Senior Director, Department for Development Cooperation (DDC), RNDS.

Jamaica, Kingston; May 18, 2026 – Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Jamaica’s Business Ministry, today welcomed Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang, and his delegation for high-level bilateral discussions and the signing of a landmark Letter of Intent between WIPO and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO).

The agreement supports the establishment of an Intellectual Property Training Institution (IPTI) in Jamaica under the WIPO Academy’s global IPTI programme. The proposed institution will strengthen education, training, skills development, and technical capacity in intellectual property, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with cooperation activities expected to commence by the end of this year.

The signing represents a major step in Jamaica’s strategy to position itself as a regional leader in intellectual property services, innovation, and knowledge-based economic development.

“This is about preparing Jamaica for the future. Intellectual property is now central to how countries create wealth, attract investment, grow businesses, and compete globally. Jamaica must lead in creating that future,” said Minister Hill.

“We are building the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework to make Jamaica an attractive destination for innovation, services, and intellectual property protection in the Caribbean. Jamaica must become the regional centre for intellectual property training, innovation and technical services, and business expansion.”

Minister Hill noted that Jamaica is already demonstrating regional leadership through institutions such as JANAAC Global Accreditation, the only internationally recognized accreditation body in the English-speaking Caribbean, which is recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and currently provides accreditation and technical services across 11 CARICOM countries. He said Jamaica must continue building institutions with regional reach and global credibility as part of its strategy to position the country as a premier centre for innovation, trade, services, and intellectual property development.

Director General Tang welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to supporting Jamaica’s ambitions in intellectual property development and regional leadership.

A technical working group comprising representatives from Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), WIPO and other bodies will be established to craft and update on the 2014 Jamaica Intellectual Property policy and develop an implementation strategy and roadmap for the institution. Initial preparatory activities are to begin this week with strong support from Director General Tang to lend technical assistance to help prepare the policy and create a clear implementation dashboard.

The engagement follows Minister Hill officially welcoming Director General Tang at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Earlier today, Director General Tang also participated in a signing ceremony with Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, JP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, establishing cooperation between the WIPO Academy and the Jamaican Foreign Service Institute to strengthen intellectual property training for Jamaican diplomats and Government officials.

During his official visit to Jamaica (May 16-20), Director General Tang will also engage senior Government officials, innovators, entrepreneurs, creators, women leaders, and stakeholders across Jamaica’s intellectual property sector through a series of strategic meetings focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.