The workshop on IP rights was held by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in coordination with the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).

Over 9,000 cases relating to counterfeit goods, those infringing IP rights, and goods of unknown origin are handled in Vietnam last year.

Japanese Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Shige Watanabe expressed his hope that measures against counterfeit goods will be rolled out appropriately in Vietnam, legitimately protecting IP rights and improving its business environment.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, deputy head of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance, pointed to the prevalence of counterfeit goods, those infringing IP rights, and goods of unknown origin in Vietnam, with over 9,000 cases handled last year.

He stressed obstacles to the fight against counterfeit goods like the overlapping law enforcement mechanisms and the loose coordination between agencies.

Citing the Prime Minister’s Decision 319/QD-TTg dated March 29, 2023 approving a project on fighting counterfeit goods and protecting consumers in e-commerce by 2025, the official said market surveillance force will step up inspections over online business in the time ahead.

Nguyen Nhu Quynh, MoST Chief Inspector, suggested Japan further its support to Vietnam in socio-economic development, and IP protection.

On this occasion, six Japanese companies gave detailed instructions on how to identify fake products, and introduced measures to prevent counterfeit goods in Vietnam.

Half of Japanese firms in Vietnam seek expansion

Among Southeast Asian countries, 56.7% of Japanese companies target Vietnam for business expansion in the next 1-2 years, ranking behind Laos in regional growth interest.

Festival to promote Vietnamese culture in Japan

A cultural festival entitled ‘Homeland Spring – Vietnamese Tet Festival Amagasaki 2024’ will be held in Amagasaki City in Japan from February 3 to 4 as an activity to celebrate Tet — the biggest annual activity of Vietnamese people worldwide.

Deputy PM receives Vietnamese, Japanese students

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on January 16 for a delegation of Vietnamese and Japanese students joining the Teenage Ambassadors’ Programme, which is organised to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.

Vietnamese community in Japan sends more relief to quake-affected people

A delegation of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka on January 15 handed over thousands of essential supplies to authorities of Higashiosaka city so as to deliver relief goods to people affected by a recent earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture.

Vietnamese, Japanese firms unveil distribution agreement

Vietnamese and Japanese healthcare firms engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing their cooperation during their working session in the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka on January 15.

Source: VNA