Dubai SME and WIPO train trainers on IP asset management
Rushika Bhatia
News
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Dubai SME and WIPO train trainers on IP asset management

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, an agency of the Dubai Economic Department, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) jointly organised the first ever Training of Trainers (TOT) programme on Effective Intellectual Property (IP) Asset Management by SMEs. The five-day training programme was from Dec. 19 to 23 in Dubai. 

The programme aims to create a critical mass of trainers with the knowledge and skills to provide preliminary IP assistance to entrepreneurs and university students as well as micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) on IP asset management.

Trainers attending the programme would be able to function either as master trainers in subsequent TOTs or advice SMEs on effectively managing IP assets to develop sustainable business models.

WIPO is the UN intergovernmental agency imparting IP-related knowledge and competencies in training and consultancy. The SME Division of WIPO works to create awareness and support capacity building among its 184 member countries, including the UAE.

The first-of-its-kind initiative by WIPO in the Arab region, the Dubai TOT programme builds on the ongoing collaboration between Dubai SME and WIPO to enable small and medium enterprises to protect their IP assets and derive a competitive advantage from such assets.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME said: “The ultimate objective of the TOT programme is to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the SMEs in the domestic and the international markets. As the prime enablers of knowledge economy, SMEs should learn how to efficiently manage their IP assets. We are privileged to work with international organisations like WIPO in imparting critical IP asset management knowledge to SMEs, which form the backbone of our economy today.”

In September 2009, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai issued Law No.23 of 2009 concerning the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, one of the Department of Economic Development establishments, recently renamed the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders. The new law confirms the commitment of Dubai Government to support the development of SMEs sector.

The law defines the goals and responsibilities of the establishment. Given that SMEs include 98.5% of registered business in Dubai, with 61% of the work force working in this sector, the law aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise development based on innovation and intellectual property.