UAE GOVERNMENT UPDATES

A E M RICAN BRANDS FOR U M

AMERICAN BRANDS FORUM

AMCHAM CONGRATULATES THE UAE FOR ITS EFFORTS ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Business to Government Collaboration Nets a Win for All

Dubai-UAE: 23

May, 2021 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been demonstrating leadership in the realm of regional intellectual property protection for those operating within their borders.

AmCham Dubai and the American Brands Forum celebrate with the United Arab Emirates the recently published United States Trade Representative Special 301 Report. The UAE’s recent efforts to protect Intellectual Property have been recognized and resulted in the UAE’s removal from the report which is an annual review of the global state of IP protection and enforcement. As an example, The Ministry of Health and Prevention resolved concerns with IP protection of pharmaceutical products by issuing Decree 321. Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and Ajman DED have taken leadership roles in resolving long-standing Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement concerns. Given the important role UAE plays in the global movement of goods, this work has helped to alleviate a major cause of industry concerns. The UAE increased transparency this past year as many authorities published their IP enforcement procedures and Federal Customs began publishing annual IP enforcement statistics. Recently, the Ajman Department of Economic Development committed to a collaborative working relationship with the AmCham Dubai’s American Brands Forum (ABF) and worked to clear counterfeit goods from the Ajman China Mall. AmCham Dubai’s engaged brands have demonstrated full support for the ongoing program with Ajman DED. “I am so pleased to congratulate the UAE for improving its intellectual property ecosystem and for those efforts being recognized in the U.S. Trade Representative Special 301 Report on April 30“, said U.S. Intellectual Property Attaché for the Middle East and North Africa, Pete Mehravari, “It is a pleasure to work closely with AmCham Dubai’s American Brands Forum (ABF) in their advocacy for protecting consumers against counterfeit goods in the UAE and the region. The fact that many of the UAE’s intellectual property achievements noted in the 2021 Special 301 Report relate to enhancing efforts to stop counterfeit goods is certainly a clear testament to the ABF and their members’ incredible work with the Emirati government and with the U.S. Mission in the UAE.”

“AmCham Dubai’s American Brands Forum, in collaboration with US and UAE government officials have demonstrated how essential a business to government partnership can be in achieving synergistic goals. Working together and communicating delivers solid results creating an optimized business environment for brand owners and consumers alike. We had an issue, we actioned it and got major results. I want to offer a special thank you to Emirates Intellectual Property Association, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs and Ajman Department of Economic Development for their leadership and to all that have been involved in this positive collaboration.” Sammy Bousaba, President, AmCham Dubai.

American Brands Forum

AmCham Dubai formed The American Brands Forum with the objective of boosting collaboration between American brands and being the concerted voice of American business in the UAE. At the same time supporting local effort in tackling issues related to; Intellectual property rights and enforcement, as well as developing and coordinating efforts with law enforcement agencies on lobbying engagements, and advocacy campaigns.

The committee is lead by top American brands;