Continue to foster creativity

THE INTELLECTUAL capital of a nation is vital to its advancement. I am therefore pleased to join the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) in celebrating Intellectual Property Week and promoting the value of intellectual property (IP) to our country’s growth and development.

Throughout Jamaica’s history, creativity and innovation have been driving forces shaping changes in homes, schools and communities. I, therefore, commend JIPO for the way it has been encouraging Jamaicans to tap into our celebrated ingenuity with the prospect of seeing Jamaica achieve the success it truly deserves.

THIS YEAR’S THEME

The appropriateness of this year’s theme, ‘Innovation – Improving Lives’, cannot be overlooked. Therein lies a call to action for Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora to help develop, support and invest in breakthrough solutions that will strengthen Brand Jamaica. I, therefore, urge you to play your part in expanding Jamaica’s repertoire of extraordinary inventions that will address the myriad cultural, economic and social challenges not only confronting our country, but the region and the world.

I commend JIPO for admirably fulfilling its role to protect, administer and enforce intellectual property rights. Your various public-education initiatives, training programmes, and partnership with public- and privatesector organisations have undoubtedly boosted creative expressions among our people. I implore you to remain focused as you continue your unabated efforts to improve IP systems, policies and regulations in Jamaica with the adoption of best practices and modern technologies.

As you observe Intellectual Property Week and World Intellectual Property Day, I encourage you to continue to move the needle in fostering creativity in various fields spanning science, arts and business in Jamaica.

I wish you every success with your celebratory activities! SIR PATRICK ALLEN Governor General