Dubai, UAE, December 3, 2017:  Within its efforts to boost UAE trade and enhance protection of trademarks through combating counterfeited products, Dubai Customs’ IPR Department took part in workshop organized in Dubai by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in coordination with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).  

In the note he delivered during the event, Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department said: “The UAE takes protecting intellectual property issue very seriously in order to help individuals and corporates utilize their efforts and innovate and develop their ideas in a clean competitive atmosphere. By doing so we are following the directives of our wide leadership and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai of making creativity the main catalyst to our economy. At the same time, the UAE works hard to protect society from the perils of counterfeit products. The UAE is amongst the top countries in protecting intellectual property and fighting piracy”. 

The number of seizures of IPR-infringing items carried out by Dubai Customs in the first half of 2017 was 133 seizures, worth up to Dh 72.6 million. Along with this the department conducts regular awareness campaigns and competitions. 

Ozair pointed out that Japan is Dubai’s fourth biggest trade partner in the first nine months of 2017, with around AED 28b in imports. 
“This is why we support and develop our trade with Japan in every possible way, including combating illegal and counterfeit products”.