The Department of Industry (DOI) and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has jointly organised an interaction on “Intellectual Property Rights and Natural Resources Conservation and Utilisation” on Tuesday.

Secretary at the ministry of industry, commerce and supplies (MOICS) Bhanu Prasad Acharya said that since 1997 when Nepal gained membership with the World Intellectual Association, interest in the issue of intellectual property rights has risen in the country. He also informed of the government’s policy in simplifying the process of acquiring trademarks, industrial designs and patent rights to meet the aim of intellectual property rights.

The government has also been attempting to gather technical support to strengthen the status of Nepal in the area of intellectual property rights after it endorsed the Trade Related Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS).

President of the NCC Rajesh Kaji Shrestha emphasised on the role of the private sector in aiding the government to strengthen the intellectual property rights provisions in Nepal. When a commission for this is formed, it should incorporate experts from various fields such as intellectual, industrial, ‘ayurvedic’ and artistic, he said.

Executive Director of DOI Bharat Bahadur Thapa remarked that in the present age of novel creations and discovery, the government has taken necessary steps to safeguard them. Since Nepal is rich in natural resources and traditional knowledge, their conservation and protection is important, he said.

Ayurvedic Dr Rishi Ram Koirala, who is the registrar of the Council of Ayurvedic Medicine spoke of the importance of appropriate policies and documentation for the conservation of the natural and cultural wealth of Nepal and to present them in the global arena.