Industries Secretary assures cooperation to minimise intellectual property rights violations

Industries Ministry Secretary K M Ali Azam has said the Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB) can play a key role in creating public awareness and maintaining a liaison among intellectual property rights holders and regulatory bodies to minimise intellectual property rights violations in the country.

He also offered his cooperation in its efforts to minimise intellectual property rights (IPR) violations in the country.

The Industries Secretary was addressing a webinar arranged by the Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh recently.

The secretary appreciated the activities and initiatives of the association so far, and advised it to continue these kinds of volunteer activities with the same energy and efforts for the sake of all stakeholders.

IPAB Director General Azizur Rahman presented a keynote speech on 'the role of IPAB; intellectual property rights in Bangladesh' where he apprised the participants of the activities, projects and plans of the association for coming days.

In the webinar, he also introduced the newly formed IPAB executive committee, and other committees of the association before the participants.

Finance Ministry Additional Secretary Sharifa Khatun asked the association to extend all possible assistance, logistics support and advice to small manufactures and individual intellectual property holders so that they can survive from counterfeiting, infringement and other problems.

BAT Bangladesh's Head of Legal & External Affairs Mubina Asaf pointed out some problems in running even legal businesses because of infringement, smuggled goods, counterfeited and tax evaded products.

Former Industry Secretary K H Masud Siddiqui, former Additional Secretary Jalal Ahmed, Head of the Legal Department of Unilever Bangladesh Rashedul Qaiyum, Head of Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Barrister Sahed Alam, CEO & Company Secretary of Shan Sung Group Md Kauser Alam, CEO of MJL Bangladesh Mukul Hosen and many other distinguished professionals also took part in the discussion.