Page 27 - 2017 INTA Annual Report

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
INTERVIEW WITH: Tat-Tienne Louembe Representative
AINTA traditionally has had a strong presence in Africa and the Middle East through our members and various activities. The Representative role was created in 2017 so that a dedicated person would be assigned to this region.
INTA is scaling up its outreach to key intellectual property (IP) stakeholders and non-IP professionals. INTA’s expertise in the region is sought after and appreciated by policymakers and other industry organizations, and the Association must be accessible to these stakeholders.
As in other regions of the world, businesses, young entrepreneurs, consumers, and our members in Africa and the Middle East face several challenges in terms of IP infringements and filing. At the same time, they have great opportunities for brand development and expansion. Economic diversification is considered a hot topic here, and IP rights can meaningfully contribute to the economy through job creation.
AIn 2017, INTA sent multiple delegations to Cameroon, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, and South Africa; organized a roadshow to the Middle East; and held key meetings with government officials.
In June, INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo visited Southern Africa (Zimbabwe and South Africa) to discuss issues of particular significance to the region. The visit was timely and well received by our members there, as well as by various government officials and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)—one of our key partners in Africa. During the various meetings, Mr. Sanz de Acedo urged the effective use of trademarks and their crucial role in spurring economic growth. The trip was also a good opportunity for INTA to fine tune our approach to the continent and further demonstrate our desire to be an active participant in Africa.
In September, with the support of the Middle East Global Advisory Council, INTA organized a workshop, Free Trade Zones (FTZ): Commerce vs. Counterfeits, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The workshop was a platform for brand owners, FTZ authorities, government officials, and other key stakeholders to explore concerns, share best practices, and discover ways to combat the ongoing threat of counterfeits in FTZs.
AIt is very important for INTA to collaborate with like-minded organizations in the region to advance IP rights and strengthen brands, and we have been making strides toward reinforcing our relationships.
For example, in November, the Association participated in ARIPO’s 41st Administrative Session and 16th Ministerial Session in Lilongwe, Malawi. In Yaoundé, Cameroon, INTA attended the swearing-in ceremony of Denis Bohoussou as new Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle) for French-speaking African nations. In Nigeria, INTA was invited by the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association Nigeria to support it in modernizing the IP infrastructure and furthering the government’s laudable efforts to improve the business climate.
In addition, the Association is going beyond the IP “usual suspects” by deepening ties with the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Africa Development Bank, and various national and regional bodies. We have voiced our availability to work hand in hand in the areas of trade facilitation, consumer protection, and IP awareness. Our hope is that these types of collaborations will benefit brand owners, consumers, and the economy in general in this region.
QWhat were some of the highlights of 2017 for INTA activities in the region?
QHave you been communicating and collaborating with other organizations in the region?
QWhy is it important for INTA to have a greater presence in Africa at this time?
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