http://www.eians.com/stories/2005/06/07/07sing.shtml
Global patents body launches Singapore office Print this page.. Indo-Asian News Service
Singapore, June 7 (IANS) The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) opened its Singapore office Tuesday in a bid to foster closer ties between the with the various intellectual property (IP) offices in the Asia-Pacific region.
The office, the first in the region, is expected to facilitate constructive dialogue on issues in the international IP agenda and creating a culture of respect for IP, reports Xinhua.
"The Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging as an exciting region of new growth for IP," said Singapore Senior Minister of State for Law Ho Peng Kee at the opening ceremony, adding that the office will help countries in the region to develop IP as a tool for economic growth.
Also Tuesday, the Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium on Intellectual Property for Development opened here, the first major meet organised by the inaugurated office and Singapore's Foreign Ministry.
Participants in the conference will exchange views on issues such as effective IP strategies for national development, balancing competing priorities in IP policy and the new business role of IP offices in the 21st century.
The WIPO has offices in Geneva, Washington, New York and Brussels.
Indo-Asian News Service