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Qatari Economy Minister Inaugurates Patent Applications System in the GCC States

27-Apr-2015 | Source : Qatar News Agency | Visits : 7410
DOHA - HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on April 26 launched "HEMAYA" system, an electronic portal for submitting patent applications in the GCC States. 

According to Qatar News Agency, the launching ceremony was part of the activities of the "Intellectual Property and Innovation workshop'', organized by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in cooperation with the Patent Office of the GCC Secretariat to coincide with the World Intellectual Property Day. 

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce said in a speech during the opening of the workshop that with the growing interest in scientific research throughout the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century, this sector has become the backbone of economic and social development. Investment in this sector is an indicator for the communities growth, he said adding that it contributes to a large proportion of growth. 
He said that there is a great deal of harmony between scientific research and the use of intellectual property and development outputs that limit unemployment and contribute to job creation, not to mention the significant contribution to gross domestic product, a role that can be played by this workshop in support of joint economic cooperation between Gulf states. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani pointed out that Scientific research centers should be connected to the productive sector, especially small and medium enterprises and traditional industries that need support to keep pace with modern developments and requirements of the market. 

He added that in the light of recent and rapid developments taking place in the State of Qatar in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030, the ministry is developing plans and programs to realize this Vision. Intellectual property comes among the priorities of the ministry, especially with the pace of invention and innovation witnessed by Qatar and the Arab world as well as the various initiatives launched by Qatar to encourage invention and innovation and to provide direct support for scientific research across the major projects in the "Qatar Science and Technology Park," he said adding "all that contributes to building the knowledge-based economy, sought by the State of Qatar." For his part, the GCC Secretary General Dr. Rashid Al Zayani said that the GCC countries pay great attention to the economic and development side, as well as to the sectors of invention and innovation. 

He added that the GCC General Secretariat, through its Patent Office, marks the World Intellectual Property Day through the activation of the Council decisions to establish an effective management system that would protect this sector. 

He said that the dissemination of the innovation and invention culture serves the Gulf countries, praising the member states' support for the patent office. This support enabled the office in the launch of several development projects including the recent launch of the electronic portal for patent applications, (HEMAYA) as an important accomplishment and a quantum leap to keep pace with technological developments and to go in line with the international trend of electronic governments.
 
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