DUSHANBE, March 18, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The intellectual property protection project was discussed here yesterday at a meeting of Said Sharif, chairman of Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), with Roberto Sandrini, Head of the Intellectual Property Office and Project Manager at Chamber of Commerce of Venice (Italy), according to the CCI press service.

Implementation of the project will lay foundation for further cooperation between business communities of Italy and Tajikistan, Mr. Sandrini said.

Roberto Sandrini who is manager of the intellectual property protection project, which is designed for two years, noted that other countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) would also participate in the project along with Tajikistan.

According to him, the project aims to raise awareness of the intellectual property issues, disseminate information about the intellectual property protection among representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote establishment of cooperation between Italian and Central Asian entrepreneurs.

Mr. Sandrini noted that an initial meeting would take place in Venice in April this year and representatives of Tajik CCI have been invited to attend the meeting.

Said Sharif, for his part, noted that the project subject was quite topical for development of entrepreneurship in Tajikistan.

“Tajik entrepreneurs are not yet properly informed of the protection of intellectual property issues, trademarks and laws in this area,” said the Tajik CCI head, “It would be good to hold a business forum of entrepreneurs from Central Asia’s countries and organize short-term courses for Tajik businesspeople with participation of specialists from Chamber of Commerce of Venice.”