Ministry Of Economy And Tourism Collaborates With Dubai Science Park To Enhance Intellectual Property Protection

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has partnered with Dubai Science Park, a TECOM Group PJSC entity, to enhance intellectual property (IP) protection and patent registration. This collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini from the Ministry and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi of Dubai Science Park. The agreement aims to provide legal and technical support to businesses within TECOM Group's districts.

This partnership is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to foster collaboration between public and private sectors, supporting national goals related to innovation. It aims to position the UAE as a leader in IP rights protection and innovation. Dr. Al Muaini emphasised the Ministry's dedication to advancing the national innovation ecosystem, enhancing IP protection capabilities through strategic partnerships with business districts that support entrepreneurs.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi highlighted the importance of IP protections in fostering innovation, stating, "IP protections are essential to foster innovation, and the UAE’s commitment to nurturing human ingenuity is attracting the world’s brightest minds to our nation." He noted that this partnership would accelerate research and development, cultivating homegrown innovations with global impact. The collaboration aims to transform innovations into economically viable products, strengthening a knowledge-based business environment.

Dubai Science Park provides a comprehensive ecosystem for over 500 clients, including major companies like AstraZeneca, BeiGene, and Pfizer. It supports 6,500 professionals across life sciences, energy, and environmental sectors. The district offers Grade-A offices, LEED-certified labs, and extensive storage facilities. It is part of TECOM Group's diverse portfolio that includes Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City among others.

The MoU will facilitate legal and technical assistance for businesses within TECOM Group's districts while expediting patent application reviews both locally and internationally. This initiative is expected to boost the economic value of national innovations. Between January and July 2025, the Ministry recorded 1,221 patents compared to 466 during the same period in 2024. Additionally, they received 2,430 new patent applications in 2025 versus 1,996 in 2024.

The growth in patent registrations reflects increased societal awareness of IP protection as crucial for economic development. The overarching goal is safeguarding creators' rights while providing a supportive legislative framework for an innovation-driven economy. Dr. Al Muaini stated that these efforts are reinforced by partnerships with key stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

This collaboration aligns with UAE's objectives of nurturing talent within its ecosystems for sustained growth. By bolstering research capabilities through strategic partnerships like this one with TECOM Group, the UAE continues its journey towards becoming a global hub for innovation.

With inputs from WAM