CAIRO: The Fourth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy will be held in Dubai on Feb. 3-5, which will be the first time the global counterfeiting talks are held outside Europe. Leading private companies, government departments and ministries, cause-oriented groups and other relevant organizations are expected to attend this important convention. The conference will be held under the auspices of Dubai Customs Authority and the World Customs Organization (WCO), in conjunction with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Police (INTERPOL), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Organization of Trademarks (INTA) and the International Security Management Association (ISMA). At top of the global convention's agenda is the development of strategies and appropriate mechanisms to tackle counterfeiting and piracy around the world, both of which have seriously inhibited the growth and development of the global economy, and has put the health and safety of global consumers at risk. On this occasion, Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Zubeidi, executive director of Hemaya Universal, said, "As a company specializing in providing support to consumer protection and the protection of intellectual property rights in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region, we decided to get involved in conference . to learn and take advantage of international views and experiences. He added, It has become imperative for the private sector to cooperate with government bodies to combat counterfeiting and piracy, especially since the practice has increased rapidly in light of the liberalization policies of a growing number of countries, which allow the easy and unimpeded flow of goods in line with the objectives of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "With such liberalization, however, came the exponential increase in the number of counterfeit items, and their easy passage to markets all over the world. Hemaya Universal, in collaboration with the Arab League, is also organizing the First Arabian Consumer and Brand Protection Forum which will be held in late 2008 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as a strategic follow-up to the forthcoming global conference. Al-Zubeidi affirmed: The importance of the Fourth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy is to unite the efforts of those in charge of combating this phenomenon, and establish cooperation among them. On the sidelines of the conference, an exhibition will be organized showcasing the latest techniques and services provided by companies and global organizations to combat counterfeiting and piracy.
