Int’l invention fair opens today: KSC
KUWAIT: The 9th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME) will take place in Kuwait starting from today with 200 inventors from 36 countries taking part. The three-day event, themed “investor-inventor meeting is to be held under auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah;” it will showcase 150 inventions, Kuwait Science Club (KSC) said.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening, head of the organizing committee Talal Al-Kharafi extolled His Highness the Amir for his kind patronage of the gathering and limitless support to youth inventors. “His Highness the Amir’s care for science and scientists offers encouragement to the KSC activities meant to foster the skills of talented youth,” Kharafi said.
“The fair, one of the most significant and largest specialized exhibitions of inventions in the Middle East, aims to galvanize the Arab and Muslim youth into making innovative achievements in the area of scientific research and market their inventions,” he pointed out.
The participation of investors in the event will contribute to the promotion of scientific and technological advancement in the Arab world and Arabian Gulf region. “The event will provide an opportunity for revealing the culture of invention to societies and strengthening the existing relationships among the inventors and corporations,” Kharafi noted.
It will offer cash awards totaling in value $100,000; these include a grand prix of $15,000, the KSC prize - $10,000, the GCC Patent Office prize - 50,000 Saudi riyals for the three top winners from the GCC countries, the award of the International Exhibition of Geneva - $15,000, and an award from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Meanwhile, Dr Salam AlAblani, director of the scientific culture dept. of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), affirmed the commitment of the IIFME to providing the conditions necessary for creativity and innovation in science. “KFAS attaches great importance to such events that provide an opportunity for Kuwaiti young inventors to network with their peers from around the globe,” he noted.
Dr Al-Ablani welcomed the participation of investors in the event, saying it opens new horizons for inventors to sell their viable and applicable inventions. Chief of the arbitration panel David Farouqi said his panel is made up of more than 35 world-renowned judges who have long experience in assessing the inventions as per the standards set by the International Exhibition of Geneva.