ISLAMABAD (APP) – Chairman Intellectual Property Organization (IPO-Pakistan) Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that Pakistan has great potential for local and foreign investment and it is endeavor of government to bring economic stability by encouraging trade and commerce related activities in the country.
He stated this in a meeting of American Business Council (ABC) and Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) held on Tuesday.
The Director General IPO, Sajjad Ahmad Bhutta, Executive Director Umar Dad Afridi, Khalid Hidayat Khan, Shakeel Abbasi, Sabir Gul Khattakk, Dr. Abdul Qadir Orakzai, Basit Buzdar, Vice President ABC, Saad Amanullah Khan, Executive Director Ms. Raaheen Mani, President OICCI Naved Khan, Chairman OICCI Committee for Intellectual Property Affairs Azhar Ali Syed, Deputy Secretary
General Moin Mohajir, Dr. Khurram and other Officers of IP Registries attended the meeting. The Chairman IPO said that after upgrading infrastructure and strengthening of IP regime, the legislation process of IP is in its final stage and with the cooperation of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) training courses of IP professionals and representatives of stakeholders are progressing effectively.
He further said that appropriate measures had been adopted to upgrade the facilities in the offices of IP Registries and an automation project in this regard is also being implemented.
Highlighting the role of corporate sector in promotion of IP, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that enforcement mechanism has been upgraded by seeking close cooperation of the members of enforcement agencies and areas of mutual cooperation would be explored between IPO and Trade organizations.
It was pointed out in the meeting that vigorous media campaign has been started for elimination of counterfeiting and piracy besides creating awareness regarding punitive actions against violation of IP rights.
The Director General IPO, Sajjad Ahmad Bhutta stressed the need of collaborated activities for capacity building of IPO officials as well as the members of enforcement agencies.
He said that a lot of work is required to be done to get excellence in the field of IP and stringent efforts were being made to provide training opportunities to all the concerned officials in their relevant specialties.
The Vice President ABC, Saad Amanullah Khan and President OICCI Naved Khan pointed out the difficulties being faced due to piracy and counterfeiting of the registered brands and said that they are determined to cooperate for every activity to check IPR infringement.
The participants of the meeting also gave various suggestions to improve the working of IPO.