Gulf BPG Expands Regional Engagement Through IP Enforcement Training in Egypt

Under the patronage of the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA), Gulf BPG successfully organized a two-day specialized training program in Cairo and Alexandria, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand its regional engagement and strengthen cross-border cooperation in intellectual property enforcement. The program brought together representatives from Egyptian Customs, the Economic Courts, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.

The program commenced with welcoming remarks on behalf of the Gulf BPG Chairman, delivered by Ms. Rima El Achkar, who welcomed the participating authorities and emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in enhancing trademark protection and enforcement.

The opening session also featured welcoming remarks on behalf of EGIPA Chairman, Dr. Hisham Azmi, delivered by Dr. Mai Hassan, Assistant Chairman of EGIPA, followed by a presentation by Dr. Fatma Samir, General Director of the IP Center of Excellence (EGIPA). The presentation provided an overview of EGIPA’s mandate, an introduction to intellectual property, and highlighted key challenges in trademark protection within the Egyptian market.

Egyptian Customs contributed through presentations delivered by Mr. Mohamed Hamdy Abdel Wahab, Head of the Intellectual Property Rights Department, and Mr. Mohamed Maher, Intellectual Property Rights Protection Manager, focusing on customs procedures, enforcement best practices, and the challenges faced in addressing trademark infringements, while underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts with rights holders.

The program was further enriched by the active participation of around 24 brand owners, who delivered authentication presentations, showcased products, and conducted hands-on training sessions, providing practical insights to support authorities in identifying infringements and strengthening enforcement outcomes.

To conclude the training program, roundtable discussion sessions were held between brand owners and the participating authorities. Each authority was assigned a dedicated table, enabling focused and open discussions on authority-specific procedures, operational challenges, and practical cooperation mechanisms. These interactive sessions fostered direct dialogue, strengthened mutual understanding, and reinforced effective collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance intellectual property enforcement.