MUSCAT - Under the patronage of the Omani Under-Secretary for Commerce and Industry H.E. Ahmed Bin Hasan Al Dheeb, Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) organized a seminar on the "Importance of IPRs & IPRs Licensing and their Value to National Economy," on February 19, 2006 in Muscat.
The seminar, which was held in partnership with Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) and hosted by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), focused on realizing the importance of intellectual property protection system and its effective role in economic development.
The event covered a range of issues, including: intellectual property rights (IPRs) and economic development, IP valuation, licensing and technology transfer in addition to the role of governments in encouraging innovators, creators and researchers to utilize IPRs.
The opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg) and Mr. Mohammed Al-Ghassani, Executive Vice- President of PEIE.
"This seminar aims at providing the attendees with the basic information needed to establish a base of knowledge and expertise in the protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights," commented Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh.
Presentations were delivered by a number of high profile personalities in the IP field including: H.E. Saad Al- Faraji, Ambassador of the Arab League in Geneva, Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, Director of Trade in Services Division, World Trade Organization (WTO) and Mr. Salim Al Toki, IP Department, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman.