KUWAIT: As part of development through joint training, the 4th Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness Workshop was organized by the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) in collaboration with SABIC and EQUATE Petrochemical Company, a global producer of petrochemicals, from December 12 to 13.

The two-day workshop is aimed at promoting awareness about the practice and implementation of IP. Attendees discussed important issues related to IP, such as applications and disclosures, as well as strategies in protecting IP within the region and around the world.

The Secretary General of GPCA Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun said, "The GCC chemical industry's patent applications have increased significantly over the years, reaching close to 2,400 in 2017. Over the past decade, the number of chemical patents obtained in the region grew by 6 percent per annum, almost on par with global growth of 5.6 percent. This trend is an indication of the industry's continuous drive towards innovation and the need to create awareness about the importance and protection of IP."

"In line with this, GPCA is proud to be organizing the 4th edition of the IP Awareness Workshop, dedicated to the practice and implementation of IP and best in class strategies for protecting it within the region and the world. Special thanks goes to our partners EQUATE and SABIC for their extensive support in making this another successful edition," Al-Sadoun added.
EQUATE CFO Dawood Al-Abduljalil said, "IP is a key element of innovation in any industry that aspires to grow and develop by having new practices. Through the collaboration of various organizations from around the world, this forum is of essential significance in creating awareness about the importance and steps relevant to protecting intellectual property."

This successful series of IP awareness workshops is attended by a number of professionals from the chemical and petrochemical industry, as well as IP strategists, lawyers, innovators, researchers, patent officers, marketing and business development practitioners.

Previous GPCA IP workshops were held in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The workshop series aims to create awareness on this important topic amongst the regional industry and related value chain partners.

The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) was established in 2006 to represent the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Today, the association voices the common interests of more than 250 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95 percent of chemical output in the GCC. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over $108 billion worth of products every year.

GPCA supports the petrochemical and chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf through advocacy, networking and thought leadership initiatives aimed at helping member companies to connect, share and advance knowledge, contribute to international dialogue, and become prime influencers in shaping the future of the global petrochemicals industry.