National strategy for intellectual property being formulated

Oman is formulating its national strategy for intellectual property. The work is being done in cooperation with the experts of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The national strategy is aimed at promoting innovations and competitiveness of products through intellectual property, financing of products and developing emerging innovative companies. This is in addition to revitalisation of the market economy by improving its legal system and increasing the level of respect for intellectual property rights.

Ahmed bin Muhammad al Saidi, director of Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said, “The development of the

National Strategy for Intellectual Property is in line with the other development strategies formulated in the Sultanate of Oman. It is part of the efforts to encourage innovations by improving and exploiting national intellectual property assets. The national strategy of Oman is being prepared by the concerned authorities of the country in coordination with the WIPO.”

He said that the a national strategy for intellectual property would make an attractive investment environment in the sultanate which would be attractive at the regional level as it would make all kinds of businesses sustainable and protected by law.

Saidi also said that this strategy would help in building a knowledge-based economy under the vision 2040. He pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman abided by all agreements it signed with international organisations in various areas.

Saidi said that experts from WIPO visited the sultanate last week. During the visit, experts met H E Eng Ahmad bin Hassan al Dheeb, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and a number of officials in various government organisations concerned with intellectual property. The development and formulation of a general framework of the strategy, the plans and programmes currently in place in various sectors were also discussed.

Saidi said that the National Strategy for Intellectual Property consisted of a set of measures which governments put in place and implement to encourage innovation, development, management and effective protection of intellectual property at the national level.

Saidi said that National Strategy for Intellectual Property would enhance Oman’s ability to generate valuable assets in the field of intellectual property, as each country possesses wealth in the form of human capital, literary and artistic works, crafts and folklore as well as genetic and biological assets.

The National Strategy for Intellectual Property helps countries in liberating these assets from restrictions in a planned, effective and sustainable manner.

He said that the National Strategy for Intellectual Property was important as it enhances country’s ability to generate economically valuable intellectual property assets.

He also said that all countries possessed wealth in the form of human capital, universities, institutions, research and independent business.