As the
country is moving towards the knowledge-based economy, the experts called for
the protection of Intellectual Property Rights.
Promotion and protection of innovations and
the knowledge in the country will eventually contribute to the development of the country and reduction of poverty in
the country in the long run, said trade, commerce and supplies, and finance
minister Shankar Prasad Koirala, at a seminar 'General Awareness Building on IPRs and its Role in Economic Development', organised by the World Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO) in cooperation with the Department of Industry and
Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), in the Valley today.
Stressing on scientific
and technological capacity building in the industrial sector that could be the
base for the sustainable development of the country, he asked to encourage innovations, research and
development in appropriate technologies, industrial information and
communication, biotechnology, as stated in the Industrial Policy 2010 that
could lead the country towards economic development, growth and a better
quality of life through its proper utilisation.
He also informed
that the government has established a Rs 20 million-Technology Development Fund
to make use of appropriate technology in different industries.
Unlike in the past
when people used to about the development of infrastructure, enhanced
production, efficient manufacturing, the present world is much more focused on
the knowledge-based economy, he said, adding that knowledge
has been now recognised as the driver of productivity and economic growth.
Strengthening the regulatory regime in Nepal
on the protection of Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) was one
of the four outstanding commitments of our accession to the WTO in 2004.
However Nepal has still to do a lot to bring
the regulatory and enforcement aspects of Intellectual Property, Industrial
Property and other related areas, up to their desirable levels.
He also reminded that the government is
committed to promote, protect and regulate the Intellectual Property, which has
been translated in the Industrial Policy 2010.
Industrial Policy 2010 has spelt protection
and promotion of the industrial Intellectual Property Rights as one of its
objectives. It has also envisioned an IP office to promote, regulate and
administer all the aspects of Intellectual Property, apart from National IP
Policy that will look into the IP issues and help establish an IP regime more
effectively.
The new Industrial Enterprises Act will also
help promote the IPR, the minister said, adding that the IPR protection will
help attract more investments to the
country.
If the country protects IPR, the foreign investment will flow in, said
CNI president Narendra Kumar Basnyat. "However, level of protection is far
behind in Nepal compared to our neighbours," he added.
The IPR is
an essential tool to promote, protect and reward the creators of the
intellectual property and make sure the use of the property for public benefit
and welfare, trade secretary Krishna Gyawali said, on the occasion.
"Although the country
has some 48 years old Patent Design Trademark law, the Department of Industry
is doing its homework to bring a new IPR law," he added.
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