DEPUTY Minister for Science and Technology Dr Aung Zeya led the Myanmar delegation to participate in the second day’s events of the Tengchong Scientists Forum 2024 in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China, on 7 December.

In the morning, local officials introduced the delegation to Ginkgo Village, a notable site with over 1,300 years of history and ancient ginkgo trees, some over 1,100 years old. The village, home to around 4,000 residents, integrates traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial techniques to produce food, household goods, and medicinal products.

During the afternoon, the International Intellectual Property Innovative Cooperation Seminar in South and Southeast Asia opened as part of the forum. Representatives from seven South and Southeast Asian nations attended. Deputy Minister Dr Aung Zeya highlighted the critical role of intellectual property protection in fostering innovation, research, and technological development. He detailed Myanmar’s progress, including the establishment of IP-related laws since 1996, its 2001 membership in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the enactment of the Patent Law in 2019.

Dr Aung Zeya emphasized the Ministry of Science and Technology’s initiatives, including the Technology Transfer Centre to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and ongoing collaborations with international organizations to strengthen intellectual property frameworks. He invited investment in Myanmar’s industrial and commercial sectors.

The seminar included keynote speeches and presentations by international and national leaders, such as the Director-General of Myanmar’s Intellectual Property Department. Discussions concluded in the evening with a call for further cooperation among the participating countries.

MNA/KZL

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