Laotian Enterprises Cultivating and Leveraging Value from Intangible Assets

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Singapore Office (WSO) and the IP for Business Division, WIPO, convened a scaled-up IP Management Clinic (IPMC) for Laotian enterprises during March 11-15, 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.  This activity was to be carried out in close cooperation with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and the ASEAN Secretariat as well as with an invaluable assistance of the Japan Patent Office.

Think and act globally are no longer a business cliché but have become a commercial imperative under the digital normal.  The changing operational context and global competition have made it necessary for all enterprises to look far from home in growing their businesses as well as meeting their competition under the digital economy.  Against that challenging backdrop, business representatives from 30 companies in the Lao People's Democratic Republic received assistance in developing and integrating sound IP strategies for their respective business visions and goals in their domestic and cross-border journeys ahead. These are among the leading enterprises from the wide range of industries such as food and beverages (coffee and tea), fertilizers, education, music, plus arts and crafts.  The in-person mentoring sessions of the scaled-up IPMC Program were held during March 12-15, 2024.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Xaysomphet Norasingh, Director General of DIP, Lao PDR, emphasized that Laotian SMEs would need to identify their respective IP assets as well as protect and commercialize these assets through the adoption and integration of good IP strategies in navigating and managing the complex business journeys ahead.  Welcoming remarks were then delivered by Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan, Director, WSO; Mr. Mikiharu Shimizu, Director-General, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Japan Patent Office (JPO); and Dr. Thang Luong, Assistant Director & Head of Intellectual Property, ASEAN Secretariat.

In the scaled-up clinic, the 30 participating enterprises were proactively supported by a pool of 5 local and international IP and business experts -- namely CHP Law LLC of Singapore, FT Consulting of Singapore, and LAO Interconsult.  These resource persons provided both in-person and online mentorship services in developing and integrating IP strategies and brand narratives for the companies’ own businesses.  At the end of the program, these companies would receive roadmaps with suggestions on their respective IP and brand strategies and on building sound IP portfolios.

In the coming four months, the same companies will be benefit from various follow-on activities – including the provision of online mentorship under the supervision of IP experts; participation in training sessions on issues of interest to all companies including contracting best practices; and having access to additional WIPO practical tools and resources for business.

To find out more, please visit the IP Management Clinic for SMEs Program.