ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) yesterday signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with heads of nine regional States and two city administrations of science and technology organizations on intellectual property protection and development issues at regional level.
On the occasion, Ermias Yemanebirhan, Director-General of the Office, stated that the agreement is very important for the overall development of the country in all sectors as technological advancement and creativity is the main engine for the development of any nation.
“Working together, we can further develop Ethiopia’s national patent system, which will benefit both regional and federal stakeholders.” The main purpose of signing this MoU is to ensure efficient and high-quality patent examination that is capable of fostering innovation and economic development of the country is built, he added.
Fikre Tesfaye, Director of Patent Technology Transfer with the EIPO, said the level of intellectual property awareness among the public is far below expectations. This is while the rest of the world gives due attention to innovation and technologies, which are the spine of economic and social development.
Citing that creativity is developing countries’ last natural resource, he said that the challenge for the country is being able to build a creative community and sustain it to a point of becoming globally competitive.
There is an acute need to pursue increased knowledge about intellectual property protection, innovation, and collaboration, he noted.
The Ethiopian Herald January 15/2020
BY HAILE DEMEKE
