288. First of all, we would like to thank the sponsors for introducing this interesting subject for the consideration of Members. IP licensing is fundamental in promoting an ecosystem which favours innovation, and which serves as a tool for development. The various areas where this occurs in a country, as well as the intensity and frequency, have provided us with useful information to identify the strengths and weaknesses in national systems for promoting and transferring technology, knowledge diffusion, culture, and arts. In our case, trademark licensing is one of strongest areas in the country thanks to a high level of knowledge in the private sector. In terms of copyright and collected rights, we should mention the work of the collective management entities, which assist their members in the licensing process. We are of the view that in order to ensure a successful participation in the fourth industrial revolution, the use of science, technology and innovation is required in relevant areas to develop the public and private sectors in our country. Undoubtedly, licensing of patents and transfer of know-how are fundamental elements for achieving these objectives. With this in mind, the universities have strengthened their units and teams to foster the use of the knowledge generated in these universities by the productive areas of the country, and their strategies to protect these assets. We should note that, according to information provided by the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INAPI), universities submitted almost 20% of patent applications in Chile between 2000 and 2020. A successful system requires improving the knowledge and strategic value of industrial property knowledge for entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in SMEs. This is why INAPI has provided advisory services on strategic management of IP assets and has advised more than 30 entrepreneurs in the Start-Up Chile Programme and ProChile. These trainings prioritize the strategic use of IP assets, focusing on their commercial use through licensing tools.
289. Finally, we would like to highlight a programme, which was launched in March this year by the national mining company, CODELCO, which is called "Open CODELCO". This programme allows selected companies, natural and legal persons, and organizations to access licenses to develop, use, manufacture and/or commercialize patents held by CODELCO in a mutual benefit framework. Listening to the good practices developed by other Members, as well as the challenges they are facing to realize the opportunities offered by licensing, is of fundamental interest for our delegation, and this is why we would like to reiterate our appreciation to the co-sponsors.
