Report to the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Re: Report on attendance of the Grand Inaugural Ceremony of IP Proprietors Association of Myanmar (IPPAM), Yangon, Myanmar, 18 th January 2015 1. The establishment of IPPAM was reported in the Myanmar APAA Recognized Group Report in Penang 2014. There is a close relationship between this Organization and the APAA Myanmar Group. Hence, we would like to show support from our Association by attending this important event. 2. Upon the invitation of Thein Aung, Secretary General of IPPAM, I provided IPPAM with my written opening remarks (as per attachment A ) and delivered my verbal remarks on the occasion. I was pleasantly joined by Par President Dato Kandan who was invited there and to address the audience in his capacity as the First President of ASEAN IPA. 3. I did not expect too many participants but it turned out to be quite a crowd in a room of 300 something people coming mostly from local companies who are very anxious to learn about IP generally. I was very impressed by their thirst for IP knowledge and enthusiasm in raising questions during the seminar. 4. The organizers kindly arranged complimentary hotel accommodation for us and treated us with 2 elegant dinners. I am sure Dato would agree with me that we had a very warm welcome from IPPAM and its members in Myanmar. 5. A copy of the programme is attached and marked B. Photos taken with officials are marked C. C. K. Kwong President APAA 5 th June 2015
The Grand Inaugural Ceremony of IP Proprietors Association of Myanmar ( IPPAM ), 18 th January 2015 Opening speech of C. K. Kwong President of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) Opening remarks by C. K. Kwong, President of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) Colleagues of the Intellectual Property Proprietors Association of Myanmar (IPPAM), members of the APAA Myanmar Recognized Group and friends of the APAA, As President of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, I am honoured to be invited to witness this important event with members of IPPAM and delegates from related organizations. Our meeting together under the roof of the Mingalar Hall today marks another important milestone in the development and promotion of intellectual property and intellectual property protection in Myanmar. As we all know, IP protection does not exist naturally. Its availability depends on the existence and maintenance of a proper IP system within a sound legal framework which is operated by a number of players including the legislature, the administrative bodies, a business community appreciative of the functions and value of IP, and naturally IP professionals with the necessary knowledge and skill to participate in all aspects of the system. The protection of intellectual property is the life blood of all successful businesses today and intellectual property law has evolved quickly in a global scale. Myanmar joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 to provide for protection of IP in the country. It has made remarkable progress in the introduction of new intellectual property laws and systems in the last few years. I feel particularly honoured by the fact that members of the APAA Myanmar Group has made important contributions in this process. The Myanmar Recognized Group of APAA was established in 2011. Despite its new membership, members of the Myanmar Group are well-represented in important Government committees and IP related institutions making active contributions to the development of the IP profession in Myanmar. The active and vibrant participation of the Myanmar Group in our activities exemplifies the APAA spirit of fostering ties of mutual friendship and understanding in promoting the protection and development of intellectual property in the Asian Region. I am extremely pleased that this spirit is further radiated through its participation in activities of an important organization like IPPAM. Prominent members of the Myanmar Group took part in the legislative reform and made valuable recommendations to the Myanmar Government since it rectified the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization embodying the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) which will bring enormous change to Myanmar s IPR landscape.
APAA is fully supportive of the efforts of the APAA Myanmar Group in developing the country s IP system. We pledge our full report to IPPAM through the APAA Myanmar Group which has been keeping us informed of the latest development of IP in Myanmar. With an effective IP system in place, further foreign investment and creation of jobs are assured. The Grand Inaugural Ceremony of IPPAM today solidifies the commitments made by members of IPPAM which is formed under the joint leadership of the Republic of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and local IP practitioners with the blessing of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. The commitments and strength of its membership comprising Myanmar national business entrepreneurs, leading IPs lawyers and IP related stakeholders will ensure Myanmar s future success. While conveying my heartiest congratulations to IPPAM on its Grand Inaugural Ceremony, I wish your Association continuous success and fruitful achievement in tandem with the growth of Myanmar and its IP system. C. K. Kwong J. P. (Justice of the Peace) President APAA