European Union (EU) has said with the strengthening of protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and improvement of service delivery system Pakistan can restore the confidence of investors as well as the local business community. A delegation of EU experts led by Thierry Novelle discussed the progress on the ongoing Trade Related Technical Assistance programme relating to automation and capacity building of IP experts with the Director General IPO- Pakistan Sajjad Ahmad Bhutta.
The purpose of delegation’s visit is to review the trade needs assessment for EU. DG IPO said a comprehensive programme was under implementation to create awareness about the protection of IP rights besides developing linkages between inventors and industry to promote creations and innovations. He said that service delivery system with regard to registration of IP rights could be further improved after studying successful IP models of different countries. He said projects were also being implemented for capacity building and training of enforcement partners. EU delegation termed the implementation on TRTA programme satisfactory and appreciated the integrated IP management system in the country, which has provided better facilities to the IP right owners. They said that protection of IP rights was directly linked with economic development.