Strengthen Kaur's MSMEs: Bengkulu Ministry of Law Educates on Intellectual Property

Bengkulu (ANTARA) – The Bengkulu Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kanwil Kemenkum Bengkulu) educated participants on intellectual property (IP) for the Merah Putih Village/Desa/Kelurahan Cooperatives (KDMP) and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kaur Regency. ‘Intellectual property plays a strategic role in supporting the growth of a creative economy and increasing the competitiveness of regional products. Synergy between local government, business actors, and the community is the key to building a sustainable IP ecosystem in Bengkulu Province,’ said Zulhairi, head of the Bengkulu Kemenkum Regional Office, in Bengkulu, on Friday. The activity was titled ‘Awareness-Raising on Intellectual Property Empowerment as a Driver of the Creative Economy and Local MSMEs’. Fifty participants attended, predominantly representatives of KDMP and KKMP, as well as staff from the District Office of Cooperatives, Industry and Trade of Kaur. Nova Harneli, Head of the Intellectual Property Services Division of the Kanwil Kemenkum Bengkulu, said the event was an effort to bring IP services closer to the public and to business actors so they better understand the importance of legal protection for works and products produced. Nova Harneli outlined various IP regimes, ranging from copyright, trademarks, patents, industrial designs to communal IP. He also emphasised the importance of registering collective marks for KDMP and KKMP as a shared identity that can strengthen product brands, increase consumer trust, and broaden market access. In addition to the awareness-raising, the Kanwil Kemenkum Bengkulu also provided consultancy services and direct support related to registering the Batik Gurita Kaur geographical indication. The assistance covers document checks, data entry, and electronic filing to speed up the process of legally protecting the region’s distinctive products. Deputy Regent of Kaur Abdul Hamid, who opened the event, welcomed the Kanwil-Kemenkum Bengkulu’s move to promote IP protection for the community and local businesses. He said IP protection can add value to the region’s flagship products while safeguarding the creativity of the community so that they have legal certainty and greater competitiveness.