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S'pore gears for growth as IP hub


04:45 AM Apr 26, 2012


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Artiste JJ Lin accepting his appointment as the Intellectual Property of Singapore ambassador from Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law Sim Ann at a concert held at Toa Payoh Hub yesterday. Photo by DON WONG
SINGAPORE - As the next step towards the Republic's growth as an Asian intellectual property (IP) hub, a Government committee has been formed to draw up the IP Hub Master Plan.

The IP Steering Committee will recommend strategies based on the two thrusts of developing a vibrant IP marketplace, and building world-class IP capabilities and infrastructure, the Ministry of Law announced yesterday.

The 15-member committee, led by MediaCorp chairman Teo Ming Kian (picture),
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will be supported by two steering sub-committees, which will undertake an in-depth study into issues under the two thrusts. The committees will consult widely with industry experts and stakeholders.

It aims to submit its recommendations to the Government by early next year.

Mr Teo, who was a Permanent Secretary (National Research and Development), said Singapore is in a strong position to be developed into an Asian IP hub.

"The growth of our IP service industry could further accelerate our transition into a knowledge economy and create high-value job opportunities in Singapore," he added.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law Sim Ann, speaking at the celebration of the World IP Day yesterday, said Singapore's conducive environment for IP protection has helped to grow the country's creative industries. In 2010, the creative industries' value-add to economy was S$11.8 billion, a four-fold increase from a decade ago.

CHANNEL NEWSASIA


http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore...owth-as-IP-hub