The World Intellectual Property Organization has launched the first IP Management Clinic (IPMC) for SMEs in Bangladesh, in partnership with the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks and with support from the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global. The launch event took place at FARS Hotel & Resorts.
The program opened in the presence of senior government representatives, including Chief Guest Md Obaidur Rahman, Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Industries; A.H.M. Jahangir, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division; Md Toufiq-ur-Rahman, Director General (MEA Wing), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Md. Nuruzzaman ndc, Director General (Additional Charge), Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM); and Md. Jahangir Hossain, Director General of DPDT. The Clinic also featured remarks from Steve Thom, Director, Division for External Offices and LDC, WIPO.
A cohort of 20 SMEs have been selected to participate in the Clinic representing Bangladesh’s creative industries, agritech solutions, leather and design sectors, agricultural products, technology-driven services, and boutique manufacturing.
During the opening session, Sarah Nassar, Associate Program Officer at WIPO, introduced the objectives and structure of the IP Management Clinic, outlining how the program will equip participating SMEs to identify, protect, manage, and commercialize their intellectual assets.
The Clinic’s mentoring component will be delivered by designated experts: Mr. Mohammad Ataul Karim, International IP Expert; Dr. Mohammad Nazmi Newaz, Senior Management Counselor and Head of General Management at the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM); and Mr. Mohammad Sayeedur Rahman, Senior Management Counsellor at BIM.
In his remarks, Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman highlighted the importance of strong intellectual property systems for national competitiveness and emphasized the need for structured support to help SMEs manage their intangible assets effectively as Bangladesh advances toward its development objectives.
The launch of the IPMC in Bangladesh represents a concrete step toward strengthening SME competitiveness by enabling companies to understand what they own, protect what matters, and use intellectual property as a driver of growth and investor confidence. Through a practical, hands-on approach, the Clinic supports entrepreneurs in mapping their intangible assets, assessing risks and opportunities, and aligning IP with their business strategy.
The initiative reflects WIPO’s continued commitment to building national capabilities through expert mentorship, institutional cooperation, and business-oriented IP support that helps SMEs turn creativity and innovation into economic value.