ABIDJAN, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire is focused on enhancing the competitiveness of its businesses, Koffi Paul Assande, director general of the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office, said on Friday.
Speaking at the launch of the second edition of Brands Licensing Africa (BLA) in Abidjan, Assande emphasized the importance of collaboration among public institutions, professional organizations, investors and experts to support enterprises.
"The government intends to make the private sector a driving force behind the structural transformation of our economy," he said, adding that promoting brands, innovation and know-how is essential for global competitiveness.
Assande noted that competitiveness goes beyond local production, stressing the need to improve quality, develop value chains, enhance standards and adopt digital technologies to create strong and exportable brands.
The BLA 2026, scheduled for Oct. 29-30 in Abidjan, will feature over 500 African companies, including many from Cote d'Ivoire. The event will focus on promoting African brands, brand licensing and intellectual property protection. ■