ISLAMABAD: The World Intellectual Property Organization (UN-WIPO) and Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) on Thursday joined hands for promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation in Pakistan’s economy.
Speaking on this occasion, Deputy Director General, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Hasan KLEIB said that WIPO Pakistan will provide support in all phases for women’s economic independence and new business.
Deputy, Director General, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Hasan KLEIB said this while addressing the “WIPO’s Project of Intellectual Property and Women Enterprises in Embroidery and Related Craft Businesses,” organized by Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) , along with its Chairman Mr. Farrukh Amil and Senior officials.
Deputy Director General, WIPO said that the economic empowerment of women, promotion of SMEs and youth attraction towards business is a major priority of WIPO, through which economic sustainability can be brought to Pakistan.
He said that WIPO is currently paying special attention to the new SMEs projects of women and projects are ongoing in the cities of Multan and Bahawalpur of Pakistan.
He said that since January 2023, we have been working on the 48 Women Entrepreneur Project in Pakistan, which aims to launch brands and support women SMEs.
Deputy Director General and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said that IPO Pakistan will play a very important role in the economic transformation of Pakistan for which it will get the full support of WIPO and in this regard we are working on joint projects.
He said that women businesses and SMEs will be strengthened through these plans.
Hasan KLEIB said that more women entering the business will add value to it through business brands, which will develop the country’s economy.
He said that 90% of Pakistan has a SMEs sector which contributes to 30% of GDP, this is a very important sector which is the beginning of big authentic brands.
He reiterated his commitment that in the future, IPO will continue to support the growth and development of women entrepreneurs.
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Meanwhile, on the occasion, the Chairman of Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) Mr. Farrukh Amil said that today,” We mark the successful conclusion of a pioneering initiative, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), aimed at empowering women enterprises in the embroidery and handicraft industry in Multan and Bahawalpur.
He said that millions of talented Pakistanis spend their lives unrecognized for their creativity, their innovations, unable to transform their skills into tangible financial gain.
He said that financial gains means economic empowerment, which in turn transforms societies into productive countries.
He said Pakistan faces many challenges and today’s tumultuous world however these women entrepreneurs have shown’ this country is not short of talent.
On the contrary, Pakistan is full of energy and creativity.
He said that one of the main hurdles of transforming this talent, these ideas into variable and durable businesses, is a lack of awareness of one’s intellectual property rights.
He said that we must anchor future generations to hope and opportunity in our land. Pakistan’s talent tips innovation cannot be frittered away , lost or usurped by others, who are smarter in global business, and adept at navigating the key IP international treaties.
On the occasion, Director General –of IPO Pakistan, Ms Shazia Adnan on the occasion said that today marks a significant occasion as we gather to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Project on Intellectual Property and Women: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in Embroidery and related crafts business
through IP, branding, and commercialization strategies, a pioneering initiative undertaken by IPO-Pakistan in collaboration with WIPO.
She said entrepreneurship, particularly among women, is a catalyst for economic development.
Director General –IPO Pakistan, Ms Shazia Adnan said that entrepreneurship is not merely about creating businesses; it is about nurturing confidence, autonomy, and financial independence.
When a woman becomes an entrepreneur, she becomes a pillar of strength, not only for her household but for her community and society at large, she said.
Ms Shazia Adnan said the main aim of the Women Entrepreneur Project is to empower women through Intellectual Property rights by converting their embroidery-based startups and businesses into brands.
She said the first phase of the project constituted the selection of National and International consultants and the group of beneficiary women for the project.
“We started our journey in January 2023, for a one-year project to train the business women in the embroidery sector from Multan and Bahawalpur on the utilization of IP tools and marketing strategies. During the project, a group of forty-eight (48) women was selected, in the first phase, having businesses in embroidery and related handicraft sectors.”
Shazia Adnan said the second phase consisted of the official launch of the project and the training sessions for the selected candidates at their home cities, from 20th June, 2023 till 23rd June, 2023 with 2 days’ sessions in each city of Multan and Bahawalpur respectively.
