New project to support Laos’ transition from LDC status

A new venture sponsored by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) kicked off in Vientiane on Monday to support Laos’ efforts to graduate from Least Developed Country status.

Mr Xaysomphet Norasing speaks at the project launch in Vientiane on Monday.–Photo Balakhone

Those attending the event included Deputy Ministry of Industry and Commerce Ms Chansouk Sengphachanh; Director General of the Intellectual Property Department, Mr Xaysomphet Norasing; Assistant Director General of WIPO, Kenichiro Natsume; and the President of the European Patent Office, Mr António Campinos. 
The scheme aims to help underdeveloped countries determine their needs, priority activities and possibilities for development projects and activities in accordance with their priority plans.
In Laos, 10 specific projects and activities under two other projects will be rolled out from 2023-2026.
Specific projects will aim to improve intellectual property infrastructure in order to meet the targets required for graduation from Least Developed Country status.
This work will include the improvement of offices responsible for intellectual property, to bring them up-to-date and make them more efficient.
In addition, changes will be made to procedures relating to the registration of trademarks, industrial designs, and patents through the introduction of examiners who will oversee these processes.
Improvements will be made to intellectual property arbitration procedures and training given on dispute resolution for law enforcement and judicial officials.
The second category of projects will support the enforcement of intellectual property regulations, and strengthen economic competition such as by creating markets for local products, including silk items made in Luang Prabang and Huaphan, and the special rice grown in Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.
Product markets will be set up and training courses on intellectual given to local business operators.
Also on Monday, those attending the project launch marked the 20th anniversary of the Industrial Property Administration System and World Intellectual Property week under the theme “Increase your business value through the World Intellectual Property Organisation”.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states.
The organisation’s purpose is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international intellectual property system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.
The mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the World Intellectual Property Organisation Convention, which established the organisation in 1967.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 23, 2023)