ASEAN

The ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk will be officially launched on 29 April 2013 in Brussels, Belgium. The project is co-funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and will last until August 2014. The project supports European Union (EU) Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to both protect and enforce their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in or relating to the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

With an increasingly skilled workforce and attractive business environment, more and more European companies are expanding into the ASEAN region. To make the most of the opportunities available, European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to ensure their intellectual property rights (IPR) are protected and enforceable in the ASEAN countries they conduct business with.

This annual forum organised by the European Patent Office serves as a regular platform for discussion on patent information needs in Asia. During this 3-day long event, the participants will have a chance to obtain an overview of the latest developments in Asian patent data. The ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk expert Patrice Vidon will give a presentation introducing services that the Helpdesk can provide to the European SMEs operating in South-East Asian countries. Additionally, there will be ample opportunity to network with experts from Asia and Europe.

SMEs

In the EU, an estimated 23 million SMEs account for approximately 70% of EU jobs and GDP, and their flexibility is seen as a major motor of future innovation and job creation. SMEs represent 99% of all enterprises in the EU. They employ 65 million people, representing 56% of the European workforce.

In the EU, an estimated 23 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for approximately 70% of EU jobs and GDP, and their flexibility is seen as a major motor of future innovation and job creation. The innovation and growth potential of European SMEs is pivotal for the prosperity of the EU as a whole. However, in the global marketplace, it is becoming increasingly difficult for SMEs to develop and maintain a competitive advantage. Great business ideas need access to an array of business tools and support to remain one step ahead of the competition.