Kuwait, Kuwait: Today, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its decision not to list Kuwait in the 2022 Special 301 Report as a result of its continued and significant progress on concerns that stakeholders identified with intellectual property (IP) enforcement and transparency.
Kuwait is removed from the Watch List this year due to its increased enforcement against the sale of counterfeit goods and the establishment of online portals at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Copyright Office for respectively streamlining the submission of trademark and copyright violation reports. Kuwait also increased engagement and transparency through meetings of the United States-Kuwait Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Intellectual Property Working Group.
“This is a big steppingstone in expanding U.S. business opportunities in Kuwait,” said Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait Jim Holtsnider. “Intellectual property rights incentivize creators, like engineers, artists, and designers, to develop new products and technologies for the market. The strong application of IP laws assures investors that their innovations are sufficiently protected. Kuwait’s removal from the Watch List of the Special 301 Report is a major step towards attracting foreign direct investment.”
The Special 301 Report is an annual report released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The report details USTR’s findings on international trading partners after significant research and enhanced engagement with stakeholders.
