M'sian industries to have first-mover advantages with TPP
Published on: Monday, July 27, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: While other countries continue to play catch-up, Malaysian industries will have first-mover advantages in key Asia-Pacific markets when the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is up and running.Executive Director for International Intellectual Property (IP) of Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC) Patrick Kilbride also said a robust IP system, made possible by the TPP, would deliver further benefits to Malaysia by attracting more IP-intensive industries to invest in the market. "Malaysia's IP-intensive industries will have a platform to enter partner markets accounting for 40 per cent of the global gross domestic product, and be guaranteed equal or better treatment," he added. ADVERTISEMENT He told Bernama in an e-mail interview that Malaysia's strong IP environment had put the country ahead of its middle income peers, but there is work remaining to be done, particularly in patent space.The real benefits come when there is a widespread realisation that IP is respected in a given country, administrative and judicial rulings as well as enforcement efforts, said Kilbride. "To its credit, Malaysia has begun to put in place a system to effectively protect intellectual property, putting it ahead of many of its middle income peers," he added. The third Annual International IP Index released by GIPC early this year ranks commitment to innovation in 30 economies around the world, including nearly every TPP country. ADVERTISEMENT "We found a direct correlation between robust IP protections and increased research and development expenditure, greater innovative output, and a more positive business climate. "Each of these factors, in turn, will support the growth and expansion of IP-intensive industries in Malaysia," said Kilbride.
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He added that a successful TPP would make Malaysia a member of an elite bloc of countries on the cutting-edge of the rules-based global trading system. Asked about strong opposition towards the proposed trade agreement, he said those not directly involved in the talks can know all the details of the TPP, for the simple fact that it has not been agreed yet."It will be important for the Malaysian government to help educate about the opportunities that the TPP can provide," added Kilbride. He noted that the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia was already engaged in such activities with Malaysian entrepreneurs, while private sector organisations like the GIPC and American Chamber of Commerce have a role to play. Established in 2007, GIPC is an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce and champions intellectual property rights. The TPP is the world's largest economic trade agreement and an important step towards deeper integration and for advancing economic cooperation and investment liberalisation in the Asia Pacific region. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Other than Malaysia, the countries involved in the TPP negotiations are the United States, Australia, Brunei Darulsalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru and Singapore.Officials of these countries will be meeting from July 24-27 for the last stretch of the negotiations in Hawaii, followed by a Ministerial meeting from July 28-31. – Bernama