Dubai: The opening of the International Trademark Association's (INTA) regional office in Dubai marks a pivotal milestone in the association's global strategy to expand its regional presence and strengthen intellectual property protection in emerging markets. Charles Shaban, Chief Representative Officer for the Middle East and North Africa at INTA, highlighted the significance of this development.
According to Emirates News Agency, the office, inaugurated earlier this week at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), will enable the association to serve its 837 members from 263 organizations across the region. It aims to enhance collaboration with government bodies, the private sector, and academic institutions. Shaban noted that Dubai was chosen as the headquarters due to its advanced infrastructure, robust intellectual property legislation, and strategic location linking regional and global markets.
INTA seeks to intensify efforts through the new office to combat counterfeit goods, promote digital governance, and support member countries in developing national intellectual property strategies. Egypt and Saudi Arabia were among the first in the region to adopt such frameworks. The Middle East and North Africa region, with a combined GDP of around $5.2 trillion, represents a vital market for trademark protection and the growth of the creative economy.
The consumer base in the region, valued at $768 billion in 2023, is expected to expand to $1.4 trillion by 2032, driven by economic diversification across sectors such as healthcare, energy, financial technology, and telecommunications. The opening of the Dubai office coincides with the region's transformation toward innovation and economic diversification, positioning intellectual property protection as a key enabler of investment and entrepreneurship.
The new office will also play a central role in preparing for INTA's Annual Meeting in Dubai in 2029, which will serve as a global platform for sharing expertise and best practices in innovation and intangible asset protection.