The meeting of Kyrgyzpatent’s leadership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s representatives (JICA) took place in the State intellectual property Service on May 25, 2011.

The Japan Agency was represented by Mr. Hideaki Maruyama, Resident Representative of the JICA in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, Mr. Tokuji Yoshimura, Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Misato Nomura, JICA Volunteer and Mrs. Svetlana Alelekova, Specialist of Development Program. Mr. Azhibai Kalmamatov, Kyrgyzpatent Director, Ms. Ainura Orozbaeva, Deputy Director, Mr. Abdikalil Tokoev, Head of Examination Department, Mr. Toktogul Azykov, Head of Selection Achievements and Traditional Knowledge Division and Mr. Farkhat Ibragimov, Head of External Relations Division participated from Kyrgyzpatent in the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting Kyrgyzpatent leadership expressed sympathy for the people of Japan in connection with the recent earthquake and thanked the representatives of the JICA, that despite the hard times the agency has been ready to provide support to its partners.

In the meeting parties exchanged information on current activity and discussed the perspectives of collaboration. As is known the JICA through its work in Kyrgyzstan provides to the government agencies with technical and grant support aimed at increasing their capacity and effectiveness. But on May 25, 2011, the matter was about the protection of TK and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan.

“We know that your service, as the agency implementing policy in the field of intellectual property, plays an important role in the development of the economy as a whole and we look forward to working with you”, - Mr. Hideaki Maruyama, Resident Representative of the JICA said.

During the meeting issues of cultural heritage protection were discussed, particularly Mr. Misato Nomura, JICA Volunteer told about very good tradition of Kyrgyz people – producing of soap, “Shakar” of organic products, namely certain kinds of herbs growing in the KR. “This is natural product, the recipe of which is still preserved in some families. It is scary to think that one day when there would be no person who could own the technology. Therefore it is necessary to save this knowledge for the next generation”, - Mr. Nomura Misato noted.

Mr. Azhibai Kalmamatov said – “I am glad that now this question rises, because subject of preservation of TK is extremely important”. He promised every assistance for registration of the product as an object of intellectual property.

Ms. Ainura Orozbaeva, Deputy Director, noted that protection and producing of such soap in the Kyrgyz Republic’s jaamats (communities), where with assistance of Japanese volunteers it had been produced and already step-by-step spread in trade and hotel points of the KR. It is just the beginning of Kyrgyz-Japanese cooperation for TK and cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people protection.

Mr. Hideaki Maruyama told about meeting with President of the KR Roza Otunbaeva where issues on protection of TK and cultural heritage of people were brought up. According to Mr. Hideaki Maruyama, President also noted importance and topicality of this issue. “In Kyrgyzstan too much amazing people knowledge, which are on the verge of extinction. In Japan the system exists, protecting cultural heritage”, Mr. Hideaki Maruyama informed.

In addition, the question on sending JICA’s volunteers to Kyrgyzpatent was considered; 44 volunteers are working currently in Kyrgyzstan - the specialists in various fields.

At the end of meeting Mr. Hideaki Maruyama expressed prospect for close cooperation and emphasized the high potential of Kyrgyzpatent staff allowing to accelerate development and further realization of jointly projects.