Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said that intellectual property is the vehicle and tool of a country’s development and through it a country can become a global player.
He said this on Saturday while addressing as the chief guest, a meeting organized by the Directorate of Patent, Design and Trade Mark (DPDT) under the ministry of industries at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has withdrawn tax on computers and taken practical steps to connect the country with submarine cable to ensure development of intellectual property,” Amu said. The industries minister assured the audience that the government is committed to protecting intellectual property including those of the film industry. ” The law enforcement agencies along with film artists will organize campaigns and raids on piracy and other forms of infringement on intellectual property rights,” he said.
Amu said the government realizing the importance of films in the development of a knowledge-based society has declared it an industry. Besides, Bangabandhu had understood its significance and established the FDC (Film Development Corporation), as early as in 1957.
The Minister for Culture, Asaduzzaman Noor addressed the meeting as special guest, while industries’ secretary Moinuddin Abdullah chaired it.
The minister for culture said, ” If we are to get the benefit of intellectual property in socio-economic development there has to be greater public awareness.”
He also felt that the laws related to intellectual property need to be updated and the government and people must act in a concerted manner in protecting and developing intellectual property.
Later, another seminar was held at the same venue where the industries secretary was the chief guest.
