Growth linked to privatesector role in policymaking

LAHORE: The Investment Climate Reform Unit (ICRU), Planning and Development, Punjab, held first session of its working group to address Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) infringement and enforcement issues in the province.

The working group is one of the several criticalones formulated on the request from the private sector in the recently held Public Private Dialogue (PPD) Council session convened by ICRU.

The PPD council session was Chaired by Chairman, P&D Board, Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan and convened by Ms Maleeha Bangash, Managing Director ICRU, in her capacity as Secretary to the PPD council.

Chairman, P&D Board, said was a core function of ICRU and labelled ICRU which is an investment facilitation agency in the province as a “partner and friend of the private sector from the government.”

During the session, the group members shared case studies regarding the impediments businesses have to face due to the infringement of IPR. It was also highlighted as a horrendous crime as in the case of counterfeits and spurious consumer products (e.g. food, beverages, Automobile parts, Auto lubricants, cosmetics, and so on) it poses a threat to human life. There were recommendations for inflicting strict punishment upon the infringers to curb this issue.

A need to create awareness among the consumers and enforcement bodies about the IPR was also strongly proposed and accepted. Towards the end of the session the group embarked upon certain concrete recommendations to address the matter.

Maleeha Bangash expressed her appreciation to the members of the working group for their involvement and support to the government for bringing business reforms and assured that these recommendations will then be taken to the highest echelons of government to resolve them.

“Private sector engagement in policy formulation and reform is a prerequisite for economic growth and creation of an enabling business environment,” she said and informed the participants about her positive interaction with Muhammad Irfan Tarar, DG, IPO, in Islamabad where he assured her of extending full support in addressing the IPR issues in the province.

The private sector welcomed this much needed initiative of the Public Private Dialogue by ICRU and expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to bring about business enabling environment in the province.