From 28 to 29 March 2017, delegates from 12 countries have gathered in Chisinau at a Regional Forum of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for Europe and CIS “Strengthening Innovation Capabilities in the ICT-centric Ecosystem and Fostering the Growth of ICT Startups”.
The event was hosted by the Ministry of Informational Technologies and Communication. The topics discussed at the event were focused on IT innovative capacity.
The forum was attended by representatives of administrations in communications and decision makers, telecommunication operators, equipment manufacturers, software developers, academia, civil society and other stakeholders, including development and funding agencies in Europe and CIS.
“In accordance with the undertaken obligations towards the ITU, Moldova has a separate attitude regarding the ICT sector, which shows the interest and potential of development of this field. Thus, in 2013, the National Strategy for the Development of the Information Society “Digital Moldova 2020” was launched, consequently the Strategy for growing the ICT industry competitiveness, Law on ICT Parks, etc., were also launched. Recently, the Center of Excellence in Information Technology Tekwill was officially opened with the support of the development partners. Also, the Deputy Minister highlighted that in 2016 the project for the adjustment of the law on the creation of IT Parks was concluded, which will allow their opening already in the coming months and respectively granting facilities for its residents”, said Vitalie Tarlev, Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Communications, in opening the forum.
One topic on the agenda of the forum was dedicated to intellectual property. Svetlana Munteanu, Counselor of the Director General of AGEPI, made a presentation entitled “Intellectual Property in Support of Innovation”, in which revealed the role of intellectual property in the development of innovations in general and the ICT sector, in particular, the importance of ensuring solid protection of intellectual property rights, mechanisms on support of IP objects patenting/registration activity, including on support for patenting abroad of inventions and plant varieties created in the Republic of Moldova. Participants were also informed about AGEPI activities to stimulate creativity and innovation by disseminating knowledge and information contained in patent documents, on industrial design and other IP objects, allowing further use thereof through innovation. Thanks to information technologies, dissemination of knowledge can be performed quickly and qualitatively, AGEPI giving free access to Databases of intellectual property objects (IPO). At the same time, applicants may submit applications for patenting/registration of IPOs and for maintenance of IP rights through the electronic service for online filing of applications.
For Moldova, the way of innovative development is a priority for improving the competitiveness of the national economy, and in the context of globalization and international competition, the innovative scenario of economic development has no alternative.
An important role in achieving this goal pertains to intellectual property, which, according to the National Intellectual Property Strategy until 2020, “must become a fundamental tool in creating an environment conducive to innovation, creativity and free competition, for economic, social and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova”.
