Banjul meeting: Director General meeting with the President of The Gambia

ARIPO Director General, Mr Bemanye Twebaze, and his delegation travelled to Banjul, The Gambia for a two-day high-level mission on 6 and 7 May 2024.

The discussions were aimed at the advancement of The Gambia’s socio-economic agenda through the support of the ARIPO IP system.

The mission included a diplomatic engagement with the President of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow. The ARIPO delegation was accompanied by The Gambia’s Attorney General and Minster of Justice, Honourable Dawda. A. Jallow, and Registrar General Abdoulie Colley of the Intellectual Property Office of Gambia.

The DG commended the President and the Government of The Gambia for the adoption of an Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, as well as implementing legislative measures aimed at strengthening the protection and enforcement of intellectual property in the country.

The discussions centred around how intellectual property rights provide innovation, creativity and aims at economic growth. It was recognised that the protection of intellectual property in The Gambia has had tangible benefits, with the country seeing growth in export revenues due to the preservation and promotion of its cultural assets. This, through giving recognition to and safeguarding indigenous crafts and music.

During the meeting with H.E. President Barrow, DG Twebaze discussed multiple examples of how the country could further its growth through IP. One example is The Gambia Tourist Board’s initiative to register the brand THE GAMBIA, THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA. With tourism being a significant economic driver in The Gambia, the DG identified this as a prime example of the significant role that intellectual property can play in the promotion of a country’s image and in increasing revenue.

H.E. President Barrow and the DG also discussed various aspects of intellectual property rights and their role in promoting intra-African trade within the context of the AfCFTA (Africa Continental Free Trade Area).

Source:
https://www.aripo.org/news/High-Level+Dialogue+Between+ARIPO+Director+General+and+President+of+The+Gambia-1715611157
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