Cabinet nod for India-UK MoUs on IPR, ease of doing business

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave ex-post facto approval to two MoUs signed with Britain in the field of intellectual property (IP) and on ease of doing business, both signed last month during the visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"The MoU seeks to establish a wide-ranging and flexible mechanism for developing and furthering the cooperation in the development of automation, new documentation and information systems in IP," a cabinet communique said.

The MoU envisages establishing a mechanism for furthering cooperation between the intellectual property offices of India and Britain in the field of intellectual property and related information technology services, according to the External Affairs Ministry.

It will include exchange of best practices, experience and knowledge of intellectual peoperty awareness among the public, businesses, industry, research and development organisations and educational institutions, as well as on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications.

The MoU on ease of doing business intends to make expertise from different departments of the British government which have led the ease of doing business drive in the Britain available to the relevant departments and agencies of the Indian government, according to the ministry.

It includes exchange between the officials, sharing of best practices and technical assistance for effective implementation of the initiatives of GOI to improve its ranking in the ease of doing business.

Important areas of cooperation include support to businesses and start-ups, tax administration, regulatory regimes, and competition economics, insolvency, construction permits, getting electricity and trading across the borders, the statement said.

--IANS

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