The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with Qatar Development Bank, organised an awareness workshop on the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights at the Ministry’s headquarters. The event brought together a number of entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The workshop comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen the intellectual property protection ecosystem and promote awareness of its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby supporting the growth of a competitive and sustainable private sector.

The initiative aimed to enable entrepreneurs and SME owners to better understand their IP rights and learn about the legal and regulatory mechanisms available to protect them—contributing to a secure and innovation-driven business environment.

Key topics included an introduction to the concept of intellectual property under the applicable regulations, the importance of IP protection in business, and an overview of IP categories such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, and related rights. The workshop also explained registration procedures with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and outlined ways to safeguard rights in cases of infringement or violation.

The programme further highlighted Qatar Development Bank’s initiatives and legal services supporting start-ups, including the Trademark Registration Grant, which assists companies in registering their IP assets such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Success stories of companies that benefited from this service were also presented.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion session, during which experts addressed participants’ questions and underscored the importance of intellectual property protection in attracting investment, encouraging innovation, and promoting sustainable economic growth.