Tokyo: As part of the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Japan, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Patent Prosecution Highway programme with the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the MoU was signed by Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Futoshi Yasuda, Deputy Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office, on behalf of Japan. The agreement seeks to establish a mechanism for identifying, directing, and promoting cooperation between the two countries to expedite the processing of patent applications. This initiative aligns with their respective jurisdictions, responsibilities, and procedures, promoting equality and mutual benefit.
Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro emphasized the ongoing efforts to develop the patents and intellectual property sector, aiming to enhance Bahrain's business environment, support sustainable economic growth, and reinforce the Kingdom's commitment to safeguarding all forms of intellectual property and patents.