‘Rights crucial for innovation-driven growth’

Commerce minister says a lot still needs to be done for progress

ISLAMABAD: Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik stressed the need for implementing and ensuring intellectual property rights in the country to encourage creativity and innovation.  Speaking at an event to mark the World Intellectual Property Day on Tuesday, the minister said progress has been made but a lot still needed to be done.

“Innovation and creativity have not only become major drivers of socio-economic growth but are also considered essential tools for development of any society,” Malik said, adding this year’s theme ‘Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity’ was relevant to today’s needs. “Women’s role in society’s development is becoming more and more visible. The theme is an acknowledgment to women’s role in innovation,” he remarked.

The commerce minister said intellectual property rights were critical for a competitive economy, adding that the country’s major exports such as textiles could benefit a lot through innovative designs and value addition. The minister said the government was keen to address issues being faced by businesses, but added that investment needed to be made in the area.

Talking about involving research and academia to create awareness of IP rights, the minister said, “27 universities and research institutes in Pakistan have been linked to the world IP community under the Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) programme, with the support of the Higher Education Commission and the Intellectual Property Organisation Pakistan.”

Additional Secretary Javed Abid said applicants would soon be able to apply, pay and track status of their applications online. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2018.

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