Workshop on the Implementation of an Interagency Approach to IP Protection and Enforcement: Kenya and the EAC August 7, 2012 - August 9, 2012

 In East Africa, Kenya and its neighbors in the East African Community have for along time been experiencing moderate economic growth and have the potential to become the next emerging markets for trade and investment. It has however become evident that the scourges of piracy and counterfeiting are major impediments to increased trade and investment, therefore jeopardizing economic growth in Kenya and the East Africa region.

Due to this rising concern, the Commercial Law Development Program and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (of Kenya), in collaboration with other U.S. and international bodies, organized a regional workshop on the implementation of an interagency approach to IP protection and enforcement: Kenya and the East African Community, which was held at the Crowne Plaza, Nairobi Kenya, from the 7th -9th August 2012.  

The workshop focused on deliberations between relevant Kenyan government and the EAC region officials, the import of IP protection and enforcement to trade and investment and therefore economic development of Kenya and the EAC region. The program entailed ministerial level participation and a CEO’s leadership - coordination forum. The workshop principally aimed at the improvement of IP protection and enforcement at the working level through a stronger communication, cooperation and collaboration between the ACA, partner agencies and private stakeholders.