Minutes - TRIPS Council - View details of the intervention/statement

11 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND INNOVATION: SUMMARY ON THE 2020 THEME – MAKING MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTREPRISES (MSMES) COMPETITIVE THROUGH IP AND INNOVATION
106.   We thank the US delegate for briefly introducing document IP/C/W/678 which Switzerland is pleased to co-sponsor. Considering the importance of micro-, small and medium sized companies for all national economies, the topic of making MSMEs Competitive through Intellectual Property and Innovation is relevant for all WTO Members independently from their status of development. To have at disposal this summary of the experience shared by Members, the challenges and lessons learned, is particularly useful and we thank the US as its author for it.
48. The Chair recalled that this item had been put on the agenda at the request of Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, and the United States. A communication had also been circulated in documents IP/C/W678 and IP/C/W/678/Rev.1. Since the circulation of the document, the United Kingdom, Chile and Singapore had also co-sponsored this item and the corresponding documents.
49. The representatives of the United States; Switzerland; Australia; the United Kingdom; Singapore; Japan; Brazil; and South Africa took the floor.
50. The Council took note of the statements made.