Japan sets up intellectual property fund for Africa
TOKYO (AFP) — Japan said Tuesday it was setting up a fund to help African countries enhance protection of intellectual property rights, calling it key to boosting the continent's economic potential.
Japan will put an initial 110 million yen (one million dollars) in the next fiscal year into the fund, which will be part of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the trade ministry's patent office said.
The funds would be used to train African government officials, business leaders and legal experts under the supervision of the Geneva-based UN body, it said.
"Japan's unique experience and knowledge about intellectual property as a tool for wealth creation should help Africa fully utilise its knowledge for sustainable development," a ministry statement said.
"There have been urgent calls for assistance for Africa with a view to its socio-economic development," it said. "Africa has high potential for growth."
Japan set up a similar fund for emerging economies in Asia in 1987.
Japan, the host nation for this year's Group of Eight summit in July gathering leaders of eight industrialised nations, has put African development high on its agenda alongside climate change.
Asia's largest economy will also host its fourth summit of African leaders in May -- the so-called Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
Japan is this week dispatching former prime minister Yoshiro Mori to the African Union summit in Ethiopia to invite leaders to the May summit in Yokohama.
