Stronger IPR framework needed for post-LDC era

Bangladesh needs a stronger legal framework and institutional capacity for intellectual property protection (IPR), with SMEs playing a key role in the economy, said Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

He made the remarks at a focus group discussion titled “Industrial Shift in the Post-LDC Era: Strategies for IPR issues of Key Industries” at the DCCI auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.

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The event was jointly organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of the ERD.

Experts and policymakers present at the discussion said Bangladesh needs stronger IPR protection and institutions to address challenges in pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, information technology and agriculture after LDC graduation, while supporting innovation, branding and value addition.

Shahriar said locally produced goods could have a strong domestic demand and export potential if their design and quality are improved. He also raised concerns over the utilisation and allocation of research funding.

“The government is announcing a special SME fund, while the SSGP is providing sector-specific technical assistance and working on necessary policy reforms,” he said.

He urged the private sector to come forward and said initiatives were underway to digitise government services.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stressed the need for a strong IPR ecosystem, with greater focus on innovation, branding, technology transfer and value addition.

“The major challenges include delays in the existing IP system, institutional coordination gaps, a lack of necessary policies, limited institutional capacity and insufficient awareness among private-sector businesses,” Taskeen said.

He proposed establishing a modern intellectual property rights office, setting up IP tribunals in Dhaka and Chattogram, introducing automated trademark registration, recruiting trained manpower and raising awareness among SME entrepreneurs.

AHM Jahangir, additional secretary and project director of SSGP, said the private sector would face significant challenges following LDC graduation.

“Proper enforcement of intellectual property laws, preparedness of industrial sectors and formulation of necessary policies will be essential,” he said.

Presenting the keynote paper, Mohammad Ataul Karim, a DPhil researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, and former consultant at the WIPO Academy, said Bangladesh’s industrial sectors would need to make strategic use of IPR in the post-LDC era.

“TRIPS and potential TRIPS-plus obligations could create new challenges for pharmaceuticals, software and IT, agriculture and industrial design,” Karim said, adding that they could also create opportunities for innovation and technological transformation.

He stressed the need to use Bangladesh’s existing legal flexibilities relating to IPR, alongside greater investment in research and development, industry-academia collaboration and incentives for innovation.

Md Jahangir Hossain, director general of the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), said, “Each industrial sector should formulate its own action plan to address the challenges of the post-LDC period.”

Abdul Baki, project adviser of SSGP and a former secretary, said, “The extended timeframe for LDC graduation should be utilised effectively through greater coordination among relevant government agencies and closer collaboration with the private sector.”

Md Shahedul Islam (retd), secretary general of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said, “Effective enforcement of Bangladesh’s own intellectual property laws, along with incentives and support for entrepreneurs, will be essential.”

KSM Mostafizur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Agro-Chemical Manufacturers Association, called for the agrochemical sector to be identified as a priority sector and said, “Effective and up-to-date policies should be formulated for its development.”

Raisul Kabir, founder and CEO of Brain Station 23 Ltd, said, “Bangladesh will not be able to succeed in the future by focusing solely on outsourcing without prioritising the development of new technologies.”

Faez Ahmed, deputy general manager of Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said applying international intellectual property laws to the domestic pharmaceutical market could lead to a significant rise in medicine prices, with adverse consequences for consumers.

Md Azizur Rahman, director general of the Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh, stressed the importance of “creative engineering, developing brands for locally produced goods, improving human resource skills and adopting new technologies”.

Abureza M Muzareba, professor of marketing at the University of Dhaka, called for stronger public-private coordination in developing new products and technologies. He also stressed the need to focus on commercialisation alongside the registration of geographical indications (GI).