OUAGADOUGOU: Industrial designs and models have been identified as crucial elements for bolstering the industrial framework within the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) region, according to remarks made by the Minister of State in charge of Culture, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo. Representing Prime Minister Dr. Apollinaire Kyelem of Tambèla, Ouédraogo emphasized the strategic importance of these designs in enhancing the industrial sector during an international conference held in Ouagadougou.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of State outlined the potential for companies to thrive and contribute to sustainable development by safeguarding innovation and promoting creativity. This statement was made at the 17th edition of the SIAO, where he highlighted the economic potential of sectors such as crafts, textiles, and design. Ouédraogo noted that these industries could significantly increase the added value of economic activities and serve as catalysts for development.
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rry Patrick Akoloza, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAPI, further underscored the growing recognition of intellectual property in crafts within developing nations. He pointed out that the aesthetic aspect of a product is a key factor in market success. Akoloza advocated for the encouragement of industrial designs as valuable marketing tools that can provide competitive advantages to states.
Despite these opportunities, Akoloza expressed concern over the low level of protection for creations and the limited number of industrial design filings, averaging fewer than 25 applications per country. OAPI Director General Denis Bohoussou echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for better promotion of industrial designs to add value for populations and enhance the availability of significant objects to the public.
OAPI, founded in September 1962, is a regional organization that spans 17 countries in West and Central Africa, with its headquarters located in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
