A symposium on licensing principles and technology transfer started in Damascus the day before yesterday. This symposium was held under the patronage of the Syrian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Dr. Osama Ma’ Albared and organized by the Licensing Executives Society- Arab Countries (LES-AC) in cooperation with Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP).
The symposium was opened by the Minister's speech in which he stressed that Syria supports all Arab creative efforts aimed at the benefit and service of the Arab world. Dr. Osama also said that the doors of Damascus are open for every Arab useful work and that the Syrian government supports the efforts of LES-AC. He appraised LES-AC seeking to complete the vocational qualification program designed to prepare Arab specialists in the area of licensing contracts by benefiting from the program applied in the Licensing Executive Society International (LESI). Mr. Ma’ Albared added that LESI’s objectives and message are consistent with Syria’s orientations in terms of its quest to enhance the capabilities of their cadres.
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, President of LES-AC, stressed that the technology can’t be transferred depending only on good intentions and wishes, but by creating the proper environment and legislative and procedural infrastructure, and that technology owners will not invest in the Arab world unless encouraged by surrounding environment. He said that the licensing and technology transfer stage are an introduction for the nationalization of technology and creation of a pure national industry, because this step will be followed by the establishment of research and personnel training centers, and creation of experiences, skills and inventions.
He explained that all countries, which worked on the development of their industries and hosted foreign technology, had set up, after that, an infrastructure based on experience and efficiency. He added that technology comes with creativity and latest inventions, and it is known that creativity and inventions are always moving forward.
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh noted that intellectual property and the transfer of licenses system encourage creativity and protect creators, and this is for the benefit of the national economy and not, as rumors say, for the protection of foreign monopolies.
He announced that LES-AC is working on drafting model laws and also on creating an appropriate scientific environment and national expertise and skills, as well as providing a legal environment and huge technical ability.