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29 June 2022

On 29 June 2022 in Grodno before the seminar "Development of Technology and Innovation Support Centers Network in Belarus. Role of Geographical Indications in Protecting National Brands", Director General of the National Center of Intellectual Property (NCIP) Uladzimir Rabavolau told how Belarus plans to develop and expand the work of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs).

"In Belarus we are building a three-tier system of technology and innovation support centers. The first and the highest one, is NCIP, which coordinates organizational and methodological support of TISCs’ activities. The second - scientific organizations and higher education institutions throughout the republic, it also includes the Republican Library on Science and Technology and its branches. We have already opened about 20 technology and innovation support centers. And we will begin implementing the third level in the second half of the year. We strive to create TISCs at major productions in Belarus regions, not only in regional centers and Minsk but for example in Orsha, Soligorsk and Baranovichi. That is, where there are potential intellectual property objects that are subject to protection and enforcement," said Uladzimir Rabavolau.

Uladzimir Rabavolau pointed out the relevance of the topic because the TISC project is an important tool for determining the directions of scientific, technical and innovative development.

Representatives of the Russian Federation came to Grodno to exchange practices. In particular, in the course of the seminar the representatives of Rospatent made reports and shared their experience in creation of the TISC network and promotion of regional brands, and presented the latest changes in the Russian legislation related to the means of individualization.

"As practice shows, now the economy largely depends on the legal protection and enforcement of intellectual property, and brands that are created and developed in the regions. That is, those local products that are associated with their place of origin, with the people who inhabit the region. The development of this direction gives an additional advantage to strengthening regional economies for the benefit of the country in general. And we are interested in exchanging experience in this area. Our expert team will explain how this work is set up in Russia, what direction we are moving in, what goals we are setting. We have 165 technology and innovation support centers in Russia, and they cover almost 65 regions. They are established at the country's leading universities and regional chambers of commerce and industry. These centers allow people to get acquainted with patent information, prepare patent analytics and on this basis formulate a strategy for further development of their business, execute rights to intellectual activity results", noted Deputy Head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property of Russia, Andrey Solonovich.

As Director General of the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators, Anton Ishchenko said, it is very important to build cooperation at the international level. "Our regions, which are involved in rationalization and research activities, are ready to build cooperation with Belarus regions. The ideas of our inventors and designers solve the very task set before us by the leadership of the two countries. Some people call it import substitution. But in our organization we work only on import outpacing. The technological independence that they talk about is solved by the ideas that our inventors generate. We build horizontal connections. Here, our inventors enter the Belarusian market. For example, right now we are cooperating with MAZ. We have proposals for electric motors for automobiles. This will be a very interesting project. We are very pleased that such a dialogue between inventor teams is being established," said Anton Ishchenko.

The second section of the seminar will focus on the importance of geographical indications for protecting national brands. "This is everything that is associated with a place, region, traditions, natural resources. Belarus has a huge untapped potential. There are only three geographical indications, while there could be hundreds. Today, within the framework of building the national and regional brands, we strive to develop geographical indications. We work with regional authorities, enterprises, business entities and try to find out what may be in demand not only in our country, but also abroad. Starting with draniki, bisons, condensed milk, flax. Everyone should know about it. These are our brands that can become the economic component. This will benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, " said NCIP Director General Uladzimir Rabavolau.

Source: BELTA


Photo: Tatyana Motolyanets
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