Dubai - MENA Herald: Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai Economy mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the IP Academy Singapore to establish the Dubai Intellectual Property Centre. The Centre will design and deliver intellectual property (IP) training programmes to protect SME innovations and support aspiring entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into successful businesses.
The Dubai Intellectual Property Centre (DIPC) will involve the private sector and government agencies as well as the academic community in developing strategies that best respond to the needs of entrepreneurs and enhance performance and transparency among businesses in Dubai and across the UAE.
“Dubai SME has a pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurship being the authority entrusted with enhancing SME sector performance in Dubai. Specialised development programmes including training are critical to entrepreneurial success and hence, we are pleased to launch the Dubai Intellectual Property Centre. It will help achieve a quantum leap in entrepreneurial innovations and lead SME businesses into the next level of growth,” commented Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME.
“Dubai SME is committed to assist SME businesses across all sectors throughout their life cycle by enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to compete, protecting IP rights and supporting SME creativity in its development into successful businesses,” Al Janahi said.
DIPC will start by launching a number of training programmes aimed at the private and government sectors, covering trademarks, IP protection and innovations, in co-operation with CCCP thereby activating its role as a platform for creating and consolidating an IP culture not only in the UAE but also in the region, Al Janahi added.
Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of CCCP, said the MoU will promote dissemination of the concept of IP among enterprises and help them to protect their ideas and innovations. "The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector seeks to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a competitive business destination. We focus on partnerships that protect the interests of trademark owners and provide a stronger intellectual property environment.”
The launch of DIPC coincides with the celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day and CCCP is being part of the launch in line with its active role in protecting trademarks and promoting intellectual property awareness among businesses, Lootah said.
"Protecting intellectual property is integral to economic development and promoting commercial, industrial and knowledge investments in Dubai. It will further improve ease of doing business in Dubai and strengthen the emirate’s standing as a sustainable business environment and a regional as well as global gateway,” added Lootah.
CCCP will provide valuable data and feedback enabling DIPC to keep abreast of market developments and practices with regard to intellectual property and continuously development develop its programmes accordingly. Lootah said CCCP will also use its network and communication channels to enhance participation in DIPC programmes.
Ms Chiam Lu Lin, Executive Director of IP Academy Singapore, said: “As intellectual assets are increasingly important in today’s innovation-driven economy, we are delighted to co-operate with Dubai SME and CCCP, and support government officials in Dubai in their efforts towards improved intellectual property policy and strategy management. These initiatives are part of IP Academy’s ongoing efforts to broaden our reach as a leading centre for excellence in intellectual property education.”
