Offer 1.1million CHF to the WIPO Fund-in-Trust of Japan as voluntary contribution for capacity building per annum from 2008(*)

Yokohama Action Plan: [2]Provide technical support to improve productivity, competitiveness and business expertise in promising industries, taking into account the effectiveness of information and communication technology (ICT).

Proposed Measures by Japan/Implementing Partners: ● Support African countries to develop intellectual property related systems and human resources in order to achieve self-sustained development of competitive local industries as well as improve the investment climate

Potential Resources, Possible Contributions: GoJ (METI)/WIPO: Offer 1.1million CHF to the WIPO Fund-in-Trust of Japan as voluntary contribution for capacity building per annum　from 2008 for all the countries in Africa, primarily focusing on human resource development(*)

(*)The error in the Appendix of the Yokohama Action Plan has been corrected accordingly.

Status: (i) GoJ (JPO) had approved the draft work plan of the Fund-in-Trust from WIPO　and the fund (1.1million CHF) was transmitted to WIPO accordingly.(ii) In May 2009, “SEMINAR ON SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCES LINKING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) AND BUSINESS” was held in South Africa.
(iii) In November 2009, “STUDY PROGRAM IN JAPAN ON EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF IP ASSETS” was held in Tokyo. (iv) Supply of information and telecommunications equipment , grant of a scholarship, support of training activities, etc. are planned by WIPO.

Status: GoJ (JPO) had approved the draft work plan of the Fund-in-Trust from WIPO　and the fund (1.1million CHF) was transmitted to WIPO accordingly.