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UAE Introduces Program To Bolster Intellectual Property
The launch of the IP Ecosystem program will protect creators, boost growth, and attract foreign investment amidst a surge in trademark filings.
The UAE’s Ministry of Economy has unveiled a program geared towards enhancing the protection of intellectual property, amidst a notable uptick in trademark filings within the UAE.
The IP Ecosystem initiative is poised not only to assist inventors and innovators in safeguarding their creations but also to serve as a driver of growth, attracting increased foreign investment, stated Minister of the Economy Abdulla bin Touq on Wednesday.
“The UAE recognizes the importance of putting in place an integrated legislative framework that promotes and encourages creativity, innovation and comprehensive intellectual property protection for talented individuals, skilled professionals, creators, innovators and entrepreneurs in the country,” explained Minister of the Economy Abdulla bin Touq.
The program is also aligned with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for the new economy and the most prosperous society worldwide by 2031. The IP Ecosystem program is underpinned by 11 initiatives encompassing pivotal economic and creative sectors of the UAE, including bolstered backing for new technologies alongside student outreach endeavors.
Upgrading the protections afforded under IP laws and facilitating growth for research and development-centric projects are core tenets of the new initiative. Additionally, the UAE government aims to elevate ministry services, particularly in artificial intelligence, positioning them as nationally marketable products on the international stage.
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With the UAE prioritizing the advancement of creators and innovators as part of its new economy agenda, there has been a substantial surge in trademark applications during 2023. Ministry of Economy data revealed a nearly 10% year-on-year increase in trademark application filings.
Moreover, registered trademarks experienced an uptick of nearly 3%, while registrations for intellectual works soared by a massive 29.5%. Patent applications also witnessed a robust annual surge of 19.5%, totaling 3,415 last year.
The UAE’s legislative and policy strides in recent years have led to substantial expansion in the new economy sectors, with an increasing number of individuals and companies capitalizing on the nation’s growth potential. As of November, the ministry reported that the tally of business licenses tied to creative activities registered in the country had reached 932,000 by the close of the first half of 2023.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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