Improve quality to protect intellectual property rights

The forum, sponsored by World Intellectual Property Organisation

(WIPO) in collaboration with Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), was inaugurated by Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami at BIISS auditorium in the city.

The inaugural session was also addressed by Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin, Bangladesh Permanent Representative in Geneva Dr Toufiq Ali, Director of Saarc Secretariat YKA Rohanajith and Director of WIPO Ranjana Abeysekera.

The industries minister said competition is getting fierce due to globalisation of technology, rapid improvement in the quality of products, global flow of capital and advancement of digital and communication technology.

"The environment has become more competitive and more uncertain than before," he said, adding, "To face such challenging situation, our entrepreneurs have no other options but to enhance efficiency and improve quality of products."

Nizami said the main challenge for Saarc countries where 25 percent of the world population live is to explore the region's enormous resources of human capital.

He said protection of IP rights relates not only its safeguarding but also enduring socio-economic development.

Registered trademarks, patents, designs and copyrights give protection against much more than copying, Nizami said, adding "By giving us an exclusive right, it provides a competitive advantage."