Africa-Press – Mauritius. In the context of the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day observed annually on 26 April, a half-day seminar organised by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) to promote better understanding of the value of IP in entrepreneurship was launched, this morning at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Tower, in Ebène.
The Chairman of the MRIC, Dr K. S. Sukon, and the Executive Director of the MRIC, Professor T. Bahorun, were present. In his address, Dr Sukon, underlined that the event also coincides with the date on which the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) entered into force in 1970.
World IP Day, he stated, is an opportunity to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of economies and societies across the globe.
He indicated that it is an occasion to acknowledge the contribution of entrepreneurs and encourage more women to undertake entrepreneurial ventures and show their skills and creativity.
This, he said, is in line with the theme chosen by the WIPO, “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity” which places women at the centre of innovation and creativity.
According to the Global Innovation Index, he observed, Mauritius ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa and 45th out of 132 countries and yet, is lagging behind in terms of patents being registered.
“We need to inculcate the culture of innovation and creativity and further encourage people to launch their enterprises and patent their creations, products and services”, he said. This will also help to ensure that entrepreneurs are better protected in terms of their creativity and innovation, stated Dr Sukon.
Speaking about the seminar, he pointed out that it will serve as a platform where women entrepreneurs will be able to share their experiences, challenges and opportunities in their entrepreneurial venture and discuss the components of IP in their business.
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