The Director General of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organizasyon, (ARIPO) has urged Seychelles to develop an Intellectual Property (IP), national policy.
Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, made the appeal, during a courtesy call made today at the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade.
He explained that such a policy will have to include the participation of several stakeholders, and such a document will clearly outline and define their roles ‘because their contributions towards the development of the intellectual property sector is as equally important.”
Mr. Twebaze, was welcomed by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, SS Patrick Payet. SS Payet was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Trade, Mr. Ronald Cafrine and the Registrar General, Mrs. Wendy Pierre.
The ARIPO delegation is on a working visit to Seychelles, where they have met with various stakeholders. Their mission was to assess the intellectual property sector, to gain a better understanding of the opportunities, and challenges being faced, where ARIPO can provide technical support, through training and awareness.
Mr. Twebaze said he is encouraged by the advancement of the sector in Seychelles, but the population should make better use of the platform.
“The population should recognize the importance of IP, because the sector allows them the freedom to transform their ideas, works and creativity into assets, thus creating wealth, job opportunities and many other socio-economic developments.”
SS Payet noted with the ‘advancement of technology, and e-commerce, more opportunities are being created and that is why the government has identified digital economy as one of its priority areas in its bid to diversify the economy’.
“Discussions are also on going for trade, and entrepreneurship programmes to be introduced in the education curriculum at an even early age, at primary and secondary level.’
SS Payet has also called on the private sector to seize the opportunities being offered in the IP sector, because ‘there is huge financial and economic potential in the commercialization of ideas, works and creativity.’
Seychelles became a member of ARIPO in 2021.