JERUSALEM – October 25th marked the successful completion of a U.S. Consulate General-sponsored workshop to build a better ecosystem for innovation in the West Bank. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the workshop convened American experts and Palestinian entrepreneurs, academics, business leaders, and government stakeholders to identify policy and regulatory reforms that will help propel growth of Palestinian businesses.
The workshop also explored models for greater collaboration between universities and the private sector to translate academic insights into real-world applications. Representatives from Stanford University, Louisiana State University, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shared best practices in technology incubation and commercialization to help Palestinian universities protect their intellectual property, while ensuring research breakthroughs can fuel innovation and job growth in the private sector.
Steve Gardner, Chief Counsel of the Commercial Law Development Program noted, “This workshop has been a terrific opportunity to gather everyone involved in the start-up community in the West Bank to share successes and obstacles. The young entrepreneurs are smart, focused, and determined to build businesses that will create jobs and foster a culture of innovation.”
This project is part of a commitment by the U.S. administration to support a thriving economy and real opportunities for Palestinians.
