BOI-IPOPHL MOA to create linkages between inventors and investors, and attract innovation-driven investments

The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) signed on 23 July a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to promote commercialization and utilization of IPOPHL-registered intellectual properties by creating linkages to investors. This is also in line with the thrust of BOI to attract more innovation-driven investments in the country.

Thru the MOA, BOI will now be part of the Mind2Market Network of IPOPHL which will tap on the existing programs of BOI, such as the One Window Network (OWN) and the Trade and Industry Development (TID) Talks, to create stronger linkages between creators/inventors and investors.

The Parties also agreed to establish channels of communication to facilitate technical consultations on matters related to innovation, including on new and emerging technologies that are registrable with the BOI. This will also facilitate the resolution of any issues that may be faced by industry stakeholders on the registration, recognition and enforcement of IP rights.

Photo shows Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo (2nd from L) and IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago (2nd from R) as signatories of the MOA between the two parties as witnessed by BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa and IPOPHL Director Ralph Jarvis Alindogan.

“For two (2) consecutive years, the BOI has continued to set its highest recorded investment approvals in more than 50 years. While we continue to outperform ourselves in promoting investments, we still need to attract new investments that are considered ‘innovation drivers’ under the 2017-2019 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP). These include R&D activities, conduct of clinical trials, the establishment of Centers of Excellence, innovation centers, business incubation hubs, fabrication laboratories, and co-working spaces, and the commercialization of new and emerging technologies and products of DOST or government funded R&D,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said.

The Patent Landscape Reports (PLRs) being prepared by IPOPHL will help BOI in identifying technology gaps that require foreign investments to bring in these technologies into the country.

“The MOU is something that should excite all creators and innovators. This period is the sunrise of our intellectual property, especially now that we have partnered with formidable agencies such as the BOI. I hope that with the national innovation law that was recently passed and the creation of the national innovation council, we hope to put and enhance value to the innovation agenda of the President,” IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago added.♦

Date of Release: 30 July 2019