The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) have collaborated to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation in Pakistan. WIPO Deputy Director General Hasan KLEIB emphasized WIPO’s commitment to supporting women’s economic independence and new businesses. The collaboration focuses on the “WIPO’s Project of Intellectual Property and Women Enterprises in Embroidery and Related Craft Businesses.”
Key points highlighted by Hasan KLEIB include WIPO’s prioritization of economic empowerment for women, SME promotion, and youth engagement in business. He mentioned ongoing projects in Multan and Bahawalpur since January 2023, focusing on 48 Women Entrepreneur Projects to launch brands and support women SMEs. Hasan KLEIB stressed the importance of IPO Pakistan’s role in Pakistan’s economic transformation and announced collaborative projects.
The Chairman of IPO-Pakistan, Farrukh Amil, celebrated the successful conclusion of the initiative in Multan and Bahawalpur, emphasizing the need for recognizing talent and transforming skills into financial gain for economic empowerment. He acknowledged the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and highlighted the lack of awareness about intellectual property rights as a hurdle.
Shazia Adnan, Director General of IPO Pakistan, underscored the significance of entrepreneurship, especially among women, as a catalyst for economic development. She outlined the Women Entrepreneur Project’s goal to empower women through intellectual property rights, converting embroidery-based startups into brands. The project, initiated in January 2023, involved the selection of consultants and beneficiary women, followed by training sessions in Multan and Bahawalpur from June 20 to June 23, 2023.