Dhaka: Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Thursday said providing government’s patronisation and support to women in creative innovation will be prioritised in the National Intellectual Property Act.

The minister noted that the women’s creativity, intellectuality and innovating power significant for the country’s development,

The minister was speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled ‘Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity’ organized by Department of Patent, Design and Trademarks (DPDT) at CIRDAP marking the World Intellectual Property Day.

‘Bangladesh is now a role model in empowering women’ said Amu adding that capacity of technology and product innovation in Bangladesh is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the innovating power of women should be emphasized in this regard.

Amu said his ministry has also provided specific directions for providing protection of innovation and intellectual properties in the National Industry Act 2016. Under this act, activities of DPDT have been given automation.

Following the international IP act, there are many laws in Bangladesh such as trademarks act and copyright act, which have already been modernized while patent and design act is being modernized too, the minister added.

Speaking as special guest in the programme Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said Intellectual Property Act is significant to prevent unhealthy competition in the sector.

Urging to open the windows of opportunities for women, she said, women will be able to prove themselves if they are encouraged.

Md Sanowar Hossain, registrar of DPDT said, his department is working for giving protection to intellectual properties through patent, recognizing designs, and trademarks.

The session chair Industries Secretary Md Abdullah said in the current scenario, women’s contribution is significant in almost every sector.

Patronising women and protecting intellectual property rights need to be given more attention for the country’s development, he added.

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26 each year to learn about the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) initiated the day observance in 2000 and currently 189 countries are celebrating the day.

This year’s World Intellectual Property Day campaign celebrates the brilliance, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of the women who are driving change in the world and shaping a common future.