A workshop related to the issues of developing the National Strategy in the sphere of intellectual property was held at the National Centre of intellectual property (NCIP) on 14 December, 2010.

In the course of the meeting, attended by the members of the WIPO expert mission and also by the representatives of the state bodies, the institutions and sectors of science, education, culture, business and by the leading national IP experts, a Draft National Strategy of Belarus in the sphere of intellectual property for 2011 – 2020 was discussed.

The workshop was a final step event of the program of working visit of the WIPO representatives to Belarus, who carried out examination of the said draft document throughout a week.

Mr. Ron Marchant, CB, FRSA, a WIPO IP expert (U.K.), took floor to inform the workshop participants about the general outcomes of the WIPO expert mission to Belarus. He assessed, in a positive way, a Draft National IP Strategy of Belarus, prepared by the Belarusian party, with relevant proposals and recommendations taken into account, and confirmed a commitment of the WIPO to participate in the implementation of the Action Plan upon its approval. Development of the NCIP technical infrastructure, implementation of an innovation Support Center (TISC) project, drafting joint training program, etc. are among such actions tentatively agreed by the WIPO mission representatives and the NCIP.

The workshop participants, following the information received on the content of the draft document, assessed positively its general provisions on the whole and moved forward some relevant complementary proposals to be introduced to the Draft National IP Strategy for 2011 - 2020.

A Draft National Strategy of Belarus in the sphere of intellectual property for 2011 – 2020, as reviewed following the outcomes of the workshop held, is placed on the NCIP website.