Lao Customs officials from both Lao Customs Department and Regional Customs Offices received a three-day training on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Investigations, which begins on Wednesday September 17, at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane.
The Instructors from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington conducted the training, which included class-room exercises where Lao Customs and instructors will share their experiences on investigations of IPR cases.
Speaking to the 30 participants at the opening ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to Laos Paul Mayer noted that the role of today’s Customs Service is higher than ever.
“It is well known that respect for Intellectual Property plays an important role in economic growth. The U.S. Government is pleased to support and participate in this three-day training, where Lao Customs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) instructors will share their experiences on investigations of IPR cases. The United States is pleased to work with the government of the Lao PDR in support of effective seizures, arrests, and prosecutions of any contraband/IPR violated product traffickers” he said.
Customs Department Deputy Director General Bounpaseuth Sikounlabouth thanked the US Embassy for assisting Lao Customs in its efforts to protect the IP in the Lao PDR as well as in the region, since Lao PDR is entering the AEC next year. This training is very valuable for Lao government to meet the many new requirements imposed on customs services around the world who wish to meet international standards.
