Intellectual Property - The driving force to help Dong Thap's economy break through

Updated date: 04/10/2025 05:06:30

DTO - In the context of the market increasingly focusing on quality, brand and exclusivity, intellectual property (IP) is becoming a key factor helping local products affirm their competitive advantages. Dong Thap province is well aware of the role of IP and is promoting the implementation of the intellectual property development strategy to enhance the value of local products, creating a launching pad for economic breakthroughs.

Intellectual property helps businesses improve their position in the market.

Intellectual Property Protection - The Foundation for Enhancing the Value of Local Products

With advantages in agricultural production, Dong Thap owns many famous specialties such as Cao Lanh mango, Cao Lanh lemon, Lai Vung pink grapefruit, Dong Thap lotus, Sa Dec ornamental flowers... In recent times, the province has proactively implemented many programs to support enterprises, cooperatives and individuals in registering for protection of certification marks, geographical indications and collective marks.

A series of typical products of the province have been protected by intellectual property rights, creating a solid foundation to access a wider market. Typical examples include the geographical indication “Cao Lanh” for mangoes, the certified trademark “Cao Lanh Lemon”, the certified trademark “Kho Phu Tho”... Possessing these certifications not only helps to increase the value of the products but also strengthens consumers’ trust in products with clear origin and guaranteed quality.

Protecting intellectual property rights does not only stop at protecting brands but also opens up development opportunities for potential products. Typically, Dong Thap is implementing a project to protect geographical indications for Dong Thap lotus, one of the typical symbols of the province. If successfully protected, lotus products such as lotus tea, foods processed from lotus seeds, cosmetics from lotus essence... will have the opportunity to expand the market, increase economic value and create more jobs for local people.

In order to raise awareness and promote activities related to intellectual property, Dong Thap province has stepped up information, propaganda and guidance for individuals and organizations in registering for industrial property rights. In 2024, the provincial Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provided 52 guidance sessions on industrial property rights registration, including 45 sessions for trademarks, 4 sessions for industrial designs and 3 sessions for inventions and utility solutions.

In addition, the Department also supports localities in registering for protection of some important certification marks such as: "Chau Thanh Longan", "Chau Thanh DURIAN", "Cu Lao Tay Mango". Up to now, 153 applications have been published at the Department of Intellectual Property, including 116 trademark applications and 6 industrial design applications. The Department of Intellectual Property has also granted 185 protection certificates, including 178 trademark certificates and 7 industrial design exclusive rights certificates.

IP is not only a tool to protect business rights but also a key factor to help increase product value, create competitive advantages and expand markets. In recent years, Dong Thap province has focused on supporting start-up businesses and OCOP (One Commune One Product) entities in building brands and registering trademarks, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the local economy.

Intellectual property - a "support" to help start-up businesses and OCOP entities grow

Promoting IP helps businesses increase product value

In order to encourage enterprises to invest in science and technology, Dong Thap has implemented Resolution No. 44/2021/NQ-HDND dated August 17, 2021 of the Provincial People's Council (abbreviated as Resolution No. 44). This is a specific, strategic policy, helping enterprises improve packaging, branding, upgrade machinery and production equipment and improve product quality standards.

Within the framework of Resolution No. 44, the province supports two main activities: developing IP, including registering trademarks, industrial designs, and patents; improving quality measurement standards, helping businesses meet strict requirements when participating in domestic and foreign markets. Flexible support levels range from 5 million to 200 million VND, depending on each item. In 2024 alone, Dong Thap supported 116 applications with a total cost of more than 1.25 billion VND, of which 104 applications were related to packaging and product label development with a cost of nearly 600 million VND. The province's support policy has opened up great opportunities for start-up businesses, helping them gradually build and protect their brands.

Sharing about this issue, Mr. Nguyen Trung Tinh, representative of Alpha Amin Production - Trading Company Limited (Tan Hoi Trung Commune, Cao Lanh District), said: “As a young start-up enterprise with biological product lines supplying the seafood industry and frog processed products, we pay great attention to IP because we understand that this is the foundation for businesses to survive long-term in the market. In 2024, the company was supported by the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Thap to register for trademark protection, utility solutions and industrial designs for the company's products. This helps us protect our brand, fight against counterfeiting, and at the same time improve our competitiveness when accessing the market.”

Fresh frog sausage products of Alpha Amin Production - Trading Company Limited are invested in eye-catching packaging, attracting consumers.

Similarly, Huynh Gia Mushroom Company Limited (Cao Lanh City) also recognizes the importance of IP in its long-term development strategy. Ms. Huynh Thi Nho - Director of Huynh Gia Mushroom Company Limited, said: “Previously, we were not really interested in trademark registration, but after attending training courses of the Department of Science and Technology, I realized that this is a necessary step to protect the interests of the enterprise. In 2022, we decided to register a trademark for Huynh Gia Mushroom. Since then, our products have been more trusted by customers, easily expanding the market and accessing large distribution systems. IP not only helps enterprises affirm their origin but also creates a sustainable competitive advantage.”

In addition to supporting private enterprises, Dong Thap province also pays special attention to OCOP entities, helping them register trademarks and increase product value. In 2024, the Department of Science and Technology conducted a survey of the needs of OCOP entities in districts and cities, thereby collecting 20 proposals for support in registering for industrial property rights at the National Office of Intellectual Property.

The province has also issued a document requesting the granting of protection certificates to qualified OCOP products, helping these products have the opportunity to expand their markets and participate more deeply in major distribution channels. At the same time, OCOP enterprises are also supported in quality measurement standards to improve their competitiveness, especially when bringing products to the international market.

Mushroom products of Huynh Gia Mushroom Company Limited are invested with identification logos, helping customers easily recognize them compared to similar products on the market.

Recognizing the important role of IP in economic development, Dong Thap has been implementing many programs to support the registration of trademarks, geographical indications and patents for the province's specific products. The Department of Science and Technology actively organizes training courses on IP, helping businesses raise awareness and proactively protect their brands.

Mr. Phan Trong Tuong - Deputy Director of Dong Thap Department of Science and Technology, affirmed: "The Department of Science and Technology is committed to continuing to accompany enterprises in developing and protecting intellectual property. We not only support in terms of procedures but also guide enterprises on how to exploit intellectual property to optimize product value, creating a solid foundation for the economic development of the province...".

In the context of deep international economic integration, the protection and development of intellectual property (IP) plays a key role, creating a driving force for Dong Thap's economic breakthrough. The province's efforts in supporting IP registration, especially for key agricultural products and OCOP products, have brought about positive results, contributing to increasing product value, expanding markets and protecting the interests of businesses and farmers.

My Ly

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/khoa-hoc/so-huu-tri-tue-luc-day-giup-nen-kinh-te-dong-thap-but-pha-130550.aspx