Regional Head of" International Trademark Association": The opening of the Dubai office strengthens the UAE’s leadership in innovation
Dubai, 9 October / WAM / Charles Shaaban, Regional President of the International Trademark Association (INTA) in the Middle East and North Africa, confirmed that the opening of the Association’s regional office in Dubai represents a turning point in its global strategy to enhance its regional presence, support the innovation system, and protect intellectual property rights in emerging markets.
He said that the opening of the office enables the association to serve its 837 members from 263 institutions in the region, and to expand the scope of cooperation with government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions to enhance the knowledge-based economy environment.
He explained in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) coinciding with the opening of the office earlier this week in the Dubai International Financial Centre, that choosing Dubai as the headquarters for the new office came due to its advanced infrastructure, strong government support for developing legislation related to intellectual property, and its strategic location that makes it a pivotal center for linking regional and global markets, noting that the association has close partnerships with the Ministry Economy, Tourism, Dubai Chambers, and the Emirates Intellectual Property Association.
He added that the Association seeks, through the new office, to strengthen efforts to combat counterfeit goods, develop digital governance mechanisms, and support member states in preparing national strategies for intellectual property, pointing out that Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were among the first countries to launch such strategies in the region.
He pointed out that the Middle East and North Africa region, with a gross domestic product of about $5.2 trillion, represents a vital market for protecting brands and developing the creative economy, as the consumer base is expected to grow from $768 billion in 2023 to $1.4 trillion by 2032, driven by economic diversification in the healthcare, energy, financial technology, and communications sectors.
Shaaban stressed that the opening of the office in Dubai comes at a time when the region is witnessing an accelerating shift towards innovation and economic diversification, which makes the protection of intellectual property an essential factor in attracting investments and stimulating entrepreneurship. He pointed out that the office will play a pivotal role in preparing for the association’s annual meeting scheduled to be held in Dubai in 2029, which will constitute a global platform for exchanging experiences and reviewing best practices in the fields of innovation. And protection of intangible assets.
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