SMALL-TO-MEDIUM enterprises (SMEs) should register their intellectual property (IP) which provides them with a framework to safeguard their inventions, trademarks, designs and creative works, a government official has said.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs deputy minister Nobert Mazungunye said IP rights would enable SMEs to attract investment, secure partnerships and expand into new markets.
Mazungunye was speaking at the official opening of the National Intellectual Property Week workshop on Intellectual Property for Innovative and Competitive Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Harare yesterday.
The workshop was convened as a platform to explore the significance of IP rights and their role in fostering innovation and competitiveness among SMEs.
“In recent years, the country has witnessed a remarkable growth in the entrepreneurial spirit, with SMEs playing a pivotal role in driving the economy forward,” he said.
“These enterprises have become the backbone of the nation, contributing significantly to employment generation, wealth creation and technological advancement.”
Mazungunye said registering IPs was essential to assist SMEs to effectively manage and utilise intellectual property to drive innovation, collaborate and access global markets.
“By protecting their intellectual property, we not only encourage a culture of innovation, but we also provide a solid framework for our entrepreneurs to compete on a global scale. While IP protection offers immense benefits, SMEs often encounter challenges in navigating the IP landscape. Limited resources, lack of awareness, and the complexity of IP systems can pose obstacles for SMEs seeking to protect and enforce their IP rights,” he added.
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World Intellectual Property Organisation acting director Loretta Asiedu said the workshop was targeting specific stakeholders, while hand-holding them towards effectively using the intellectual property rights.
She said the programme was targeted SMEs in sub-Saharan countries like Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe.
The Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property chief registrar Willie Mushayi said the government reduced registration for SMEs fee from US$$200 to US$50 covering 10 years.
