PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and development partners reached a deal to strengthen intellectual property (IP) research capacity and result in dissemination in Cambodia.

The ministry inked the tripartite memorandum of cooperation with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in a hybrid online and in-person event on Mar. 30.

The signatories were H.E. Pan Sorasak, Cambodian Minister of Commerce, H.E. Koichi Hamano, JPO Commissioner, and Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, ERIA President.

In addition to the IP technical capacity support and knowledge sharing, the agreement also focuses on exchanges of visits, knowledge, and experience.

H.E. Pan Sorasak laid stress on the important role of IP in supporting the country’s economic growth and competition through technology transfer, innovation, and promotion of local products.

He was optimistic that the agreement would further boost IP awareness across the private sector in Cambodia, particularly on how to build a brand reputation.

H.E. Koichi Hamano attributed the agreement to the flourishing diplomatic relation and good cooperation between Cambodia and Japan and reaffirmed the support of JPO for the development of the IP domain in Cambodia.

Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura underlined the evolution of digital technologies and the impacts of IP on supporting innovation and business and industrial growth in Cambodia.

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