Singkawang Mayor Encourages Increased Intellectual Property Rights Registration Applications

Bengkayang – The Mayor of Singkawang, Tjhai Chui Miex, has urged an increase in applications for intellectual property rights (IPR) registration to strengthen the competitiveness of regional flagship products and protect the identity and added value of local products.

According to him, intellectual property protection is an important aspect in supporting regional economic growth, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and village/subdistrict cooperatives.

“Intellectual property is not merely about legality, but also about maintaining product identity and enhancing market trust. With registered trademarks, geographical indications and other forms of IP, local products will have a stronger bargaining position,” he said in Singkawang during a guidance activity on intellectual property recording and registration for 2026, on Saturday.

He explained that the guidance activity represents a strategic step in encouraging increased applications for IPR registration in Singkawang, particularly concerning the potential of geographical indications (GI) and strengthening collective marks from Merah Putih Village/Subdistrict Cooperatives (KDMP) and MSME actors.

Tjhai believed that many of Singkawang’s distinctive products still possess unique characteristics and historical value but lack legal protection. Therefore, the local government welcomes the initiative of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights’ West Kalimantan office to provide direct assistance to the community.

He also emphasised the importance of synergy between local government, higher education institutions, MSME actors and cooperatives in identifying flagship products with potential for registration as collective marks or geographical indications.

“This synergy is important so that the identification, data collection and application submission processes can proceed optimally and sustainably,” he said.

He hopes that public awareness of the importance of intellectual property protection will increase, whilst promoting local products to move up market positioning and become competitive in national and international markets.

The Mayor also invited all participants to make maximum use of this guidance opportunity as a concrete step to increase the number of IPR registration applications in Singkawang.