DUSHANBE, June 2, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The U.S. Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) marked the publication of a tri-lingual English-Russian-Tajik dictionary of intellectual property rights (IPR) terminology with a ceremony attended by representatives of the Ministries of Culture and of Economic Development and Trade, the Patent Center, international organizations, business associations, and students.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe says this dictionary, which was funded through USAID’s Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs project, also contains a comprehensive introduction to intellectual property, copyright, and industrial property rights, and will provide crucial support to the Government of Tajikistan, academia, and other professionals as they increase their knowledge of these legal issues.  The tri-lingual IPR dictionary is part of the U.S. Government’s ongoing support for Tajikistan’s efforts to bring its domestic legislation into compliance with internationally recognized standards in its bid to accede to the World Trade Organization.

The principal author of the IPR dictionary Mr. Inom Takhirov, played a key role in developing Tajikistan’s system of IPR protection as Director of the National Center for Patents and Information.  “The role of intellectual property in effective foreign direct investments and technology transfer is bigger than ever,” Mr. Takhirov noted, during the presentation ceremony on May 31.  “As a member of the world community, Tajikistan must join with other countries in an effort to provide global protection of intellectual property rights.”

USAID’s Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs Project is one of the many development projects made possible by the American people through USAID.  Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided more than $984 million in programs that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.