ASEAN Patents Surges 70 Pct, Signalling Innovation Boom - Kao
By Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Patent filings in ASEAN have surged by 70 per cent over the past decade, underscoring rapid growth in intellectual property (IP), driven by the significant rise in innovations among member states.
ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn said that with three member states being among the world’s leading innovators, the group also saw an 80 per cent increase in industrial design filings and over 10 per cent growth in trademark applications during the same period.
“Research and development (R&D) investments have also surged fivefold to nearly US$55 billion in 2023, contributing to high-tech exports valued at US$598 billion.
“Today, ASEAN hosts over 50 unicorns, supported by more than US$10 billion in venture capital in six ASEAN member states, ranking among the top 55 of the 2024 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Innovation Index,” he said in his opening remarks at the AEM-Director-General WIPO Consultation.
The conference is held in conjunction with the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) and Related Meetings here.
Also present were Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and WIPO director-general Daren Tang.
Kao said the economic bloc is intensifying efforts to harness IP as a strategic driver of economic growth, innovation and regional integration, playing a major role in shaping the region’s transformation into a high-value and innovation-led economy.
He added that IP will also remain as a core to ASEAN’s post-2025 agenda under the ASEAN Strategic Plan 2026-2030, as the grouping aims to create a resilient, innovative and people-centered region by 2045.
Kao said that under the 2023 ASEAN-WIPO Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), 40 per cent of planned activities have already been carried out, including the upgrade of the ASEAN IP Register, which now hosts nearly 8.3 million records and draws 50,000 daily visits.
He said today's launch of the ASEAN Geographical Indications Database marks another important milestone, strengthening all region-based branding, supporting local producers and showcasing ASEAN's cultural richness.
Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said collaboration with WIPO is driven by a shared vision to harness the power of IP as a catalyst for innovation, inclusivity and sustainable economy growth.
This is crucial as ASEAN continues to deepen regional economic integration and strengthen its capacity to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, he said.
“The initiative has expanded opportunities for our businesses, entrepreneurs and creative industries, while also advancing our collective goal of building an economy that thrives on intangible assets.
“I'm confident that through our closer collaboration with WIPO, ASEAN can unlock even more potential for our innovators, creators and enterprises, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women and youth.
“This way, we can ensure that the benefits of our IP are inclusive and widely shared across our communities,” he added.
-- BERNAMA