WORLD INTELLETUAL PROPERTY DAY: ACCI Seeks Support for Education of SMEs

Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on stakeholders to support Chambers of Commerce to expand education of their members on intellectual property protection amd registration.

Speaking on the occassion of World Intellectual Property Day, the ACCI urged government, local and international agencies to partner with chambers of Commerce and Industry all over Nigeria to increase awareness on importance of intellectual property protection.

ACCI Director General represented by the Director, ACCI Policy Centre, Mr Olawale Rasheed made the call at a webinar organised by the Sub-sahara office of World Intellectual Property Organisation(WIPO) to mark the intellectual property day.

While listing what the Chamber is doing on IP education for SMEs, the ACCI said continous education and enlightenment of SMEs should be taken alongside resolution of challenges of patent and trademark registration.

According to the Chamber , registration and access issues hamper SMEs’ efforts to take advantage of opportunities available in intellectual property protection.

” We also call for closer link between innivators and chambers of Commerce as well as a stronger ties between research Institutions and SMEs through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Trademark and Patent offices should open liaison offices with Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

(ACCI Media)