Manufacturers decry rise in counterfeits as agency calls for more collaboration as Agency calls for deeper collaboration in fight against Counterfeit trade.

The Anti-Counterfeit Agency held a manufacturers forum at its headquarters in Nairobi where manufacturers and innovators came together in an incisive engagement to discuss better ways of engagement in the fight against counterfeits.

The event well attended by the Kenya’s leading manufacturers under the umbrella of Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as key representatives from government agencies tasked with Intellectual property right protection.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the KAM, M/s Phyllis Wakiaga decried the increasing cases of counterfeiting saying that trade in counterfeits had enormously affected the growth of the manufacturing sector in the country.

The principle Secretary, Directorate of Trade in a speech read on his behalf by M/s Joyce Ogundo pointed out that “Protection of Intellectual Property Rights plays a crucial role in fostering economic development. We cannot develop the country if we cannot protect our innovators and manufacturers from the negative repercussions generated by the trade in counterfeit and illicit goods’.

Mr. Pradeep Paunrana, The chairman of the Board of ACA said: “It is imperative that we work together in the battle against counterfeit goods as the impact of sales of such goods has significant negative implications for customers, distributors and manufacturers alike. This includes damage health and safety of our people as well as financial, commercial and reputational damage to manufacturers.”

Mr. Elema Halake, the Executive Director said: “We are proud to host our first IPR forum at our ACA’s Office and we at the Agency are committed to deliver the expected value to our stakeholders. This is a global issue that needs a collaborative effort at all levels and we count on manufacturers to help in enforcement and raise the awareness against counterfeits.”

The forum included several presentations from both the private sector and the public sector. Together they discussed various ways of effective IP protection.