Riyadh: Qatar participated in a meeting of the Permanent Committee on Patents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held today at the GCC Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh. The session gathered Their Excellencies Undersecretaries of Trade and Industry from member states, who are committee members.
According to Qatar News Agency, representing Qatar was HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Mohammed bin Hassan Al Malki. The meeting was chaired by HE Marwa Al Jaidan, Acting Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait, the current holder of the GCC presidency, and was attended by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Marshadi, Head of the GCC Patent Office.
Officials discussed methods to enhance Gulf-wide cooperation in patent matters, stimulate innovation and economic growth, and protect intellectual property rights across the region. Key agenda items included a proposal from Saudi Arabia to define the committee's functions and establish a comprehensive governance framework, alongside initiatives to enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing GCC collaboration and future plans to develop the region's intellectual property system and promote a robust patent environment. Recommendations on these initiatives were adopted during the session.