Naidu seeks WIPO support for innovation, startups and GI tags

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday sought support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in promoting innovation, strengthening the startup ecosystem and securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for Andhra Pradesh’s traditional products.

At a meeting with WIPO Director General Daren Tang here, ahead of the CII Partnership Summit, Mr. Naidu proposed setting up a WIPO–Andhra Pradesh Academy to train students, researchers, startup founders and MSMEs in patents, trademarks, industrial designs and other intellectual property rights.

He also sought WIPO’s assistance in obtaining GI tags for the State’s handloom products and handicrafts, and in expanding international market access for existing GI-tagged products through improved quality standards and branding.

The Chief Minister said the State was supporting startups through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and promoting emerging sectors such as green energy, space technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and natural farming. He also highlighted the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative and the Government’s efforts to prepare youth for emerging technologies.

Mr. Tang commended the State’s efforts to organise investment summits and said such platforms would help showcase opportunities across sectors.

Mr. Naidu said the Government aimed to transform 10 lakh women into entrepreneurs and was marketing their products under the ‘Swayam’ brand. He invited WIPO to collaborate in promoting women’s entrepreneurship.

The meeting also discussed linking WIPO initiatives with the State’s P4 model and its target of developing the Amaravati–Visakhapatnam region into one of the world’s top 100 science and technology clusters by 2029.