Cooperation in Intellectual Property: Pakistan, the Philippines begin discussions

LAHORE: Pakistan and the Philippines have begun discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in Intellectual Property (IP), following a high-level meeting in Manila.

Nauman Aslam, Director General of IPO-Pakistan, met Atty Teodoro C Pascua, Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and his team. The Pakistani delegation was led by Ambassador Asma Rabbani, while Fareeha Khan, Trade and Investment Counsellor, represented the Trade Section of the Pakistan Embassy.

Talks centered on setting up a formal framework for sustained institutional collaboration, potentially through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) framework.

According to the press release issued here, both sides identified several priority areas for cooperation, including the exchange of information and best practices on IP legislation, registration and examination procedures, as well as IP awareness, management and commercialization. Enforcement, technology transfer and innovation support, and the protection and commercial development of Geographical Indications (GIs) were also named as key areas.

The two sides also looked at strengthening Technology Transfer Offices and supporting university-based innovation and commercialization. They discussed promoting origin-linked products through effective GI registration, quality assurance, branding and marketing. Reciprocal visits and delegation exchanges were highlighted as ways to build closer institutional links.

The meeting reaffirmed both countries’ shared interest in advancing intellectual property as a driver of innovation, enterprise development and trade, while deepening their economic and institutional ties.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026