Federal minister for commerce Jam Kamal Khan has pledged government’s support to promote partnerships and collaborations between government, industry, academia, and civil society to drive innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly emphasizing technologies supporting Sustainable Development Goals achievement.

The Minister while speaking at a ceremony organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with IPO-Pakistan on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day noted IP’s enabling role across sectors, supporting advancements in healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy solutions.

The Minister endorsed Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari’s proposals for the establishment of a world class Expo-Center, an IT Park and formation of an Industrial Estate demands for promoting trade and investment opportunities in the federal capital.

He pledged the incorporation of business community’s proposals in the upcoming federal budget to promote businesses in Pakistan and also said that ICCI’s demand for curtailing the tenure of traders elected bodies from two years to one year will be given due weight.

President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that the business community especially the Islamabad Chamber is committed to promote the cause of intellectual property rights for the promotion and strengthening of the businesses.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that the establishment of a world class Expo Centre, a IT Park and an Industrial Estate in Islamabad will assuredly create employment opportunities for youth, nurture exports and augment badly needed foreign exchange earnings.

He also mentioned Islamabad Chambers’ initiatives for the purpose by citing the holding of a Business Opportunities Conference in UAE and Thailand trip to attract foreign investments through joint ventures.

Chairman Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan, Farukh Amil said adherence to IPRs will enhance Pakistan’s reputation as a business and investment-friendly country adding that SMEs should benefit from the services of IPO-Pakistan for better protection of their patents, copyrights, and trademarks.

The guest of honour, US Intellectual Property Counselor for South Asia John Cabeca gave a comprehensive briefing over the subject.

Chairman Founder Group Khalid Iqbal Malik while underscoring the significance of Intellectual Property Rights demanded the shortening of traders elected bodies terms to one year for enabling maximum members to represent the community. Secretary General United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari underlined the need for more connectivity with friendly countries especially the Asian and African states for the prosperity of the country. He also mentioned ICCI’s successful endeavors on the count.

He further said that ICCI is going to hold an importance conference to highlight the importance of direct connectivity to promote economic ties with other countries.

In their video messages Director General WIPO Duren Hang and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Bilal Ahmed highlighted the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.

ICCI SVP Faad Waheed, VP Azhar ul Islam Zafar, DG IPO Pakistan Shahzia Adnan, former Foreign Secretary Assad Majeed Khan, ED Social Protection Safdar Sohail enlightened the audience during penal discussion.

At the end Chambers shields were also distributed among the guests and key speakers.