Story by Tafadzwa Chigwedere
ZIMBABWE is strengthening its intellectual property system to promote innovation, support industrialisation and drive sustainable economic growth.
The initiative aims to create an enabling environment that protects intellectual property rights, encourages creativity and innovation, and enhances the country’s global competitiveness.
Addressing the 67th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Assemblies in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, whose statement was delivered by Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Ever Mlilo, said Zimbabwe is advancing the ratification and domestication of several WIPO-administered treaties, with the legal instruments expected to be deposited soon.
Zimbabwe has also completed a Patent Digitisation Project funded through the Japan Funds-in-Trust, which is expected to modernise the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office and improve the efficiency of patent administration.
Honourable Ziyambi said cooperation with WIPO has deepened following the visit to Zimbabwe by Director General Daren Tang in December last year.
A key outcome of the visit was the launch of the Geographical Indications Project, which seeks to protect and promote Chipinge Coffee on international markets.
