Dubai – MENA Herald: A delegation from the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai, recently visited the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, the government agency dealing with intellectual property (IP) rights in Singapore, and the Consumer Association of Singapore. The visit was part of identifying best practices in IP protection and consumer protection and learning from Singapore’s experience in these fields.
The delegation headed by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, Executive Director of CCCP, examined the mechanisms governing patents, trademarks and other intellectual property issues in Singapore. Ibrahim Behzad, Director of Intellectual Property Rights Protection and Mashoor Al Shamsi, Senior Manager in IP and commercial Issues were also part of the delegation.
Commented Lootah: “Dubai being a hub for major retail brands in almost all categories, the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector seeks to bring in best practices in protecting intellectual property rights in order to enhance knowledge and protect businesses from intellectual property infringements. Proper awareness of best practices can make our efforts to protect intellectual property rights more productive.”
Lootah added that Singapore was selected for several reasons, the most important of which is the city state being first in Asia and 7th globally in the Global Innovation Index. Singapore is also ranked first in Asia and 4th globally in IP protection in the World Economic Forum index.
The visit helped the delegation gain better understanding of patent registration mechanisms, trademark protection systems and other issues relating to IP protection and also learn how innovative projects in these areas can contribute to economic prosperity.
“Visits to foreign countries to seek knowledge is part of the strategy of the Department of Economic Development as such visits contribute to innovative solutions and initiatives that will eventually enhance Dubai’s competitiveness and international reputation,” Lootah, said adding that the role played by CCCP in Dubai particularly was praised by the Consumer Association of Singapore as successful example in the region.
CCCP has been building strategic partnerships with major businesses and brand owners to enhance the knowledge and skills of its employees in protecting intellectual property.
