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Int'l invention fair of Mideast to open Sun. - KSC

KSC Board Chairman Talal Al-Kharafi at a press conference
KSC Board Chairman Talal Al-Kharafi at a press conference
KUWAIT, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait Science Club (KSC) will be hosting the 10th International Invention Fair of the Middle East (IIFME) between Sunday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 31.
The exhibition, themed "investors meeting inventors," will see 130 inventors from 39 countries from inside and outside the region displaying 150 inventions, said KSC Board Chairman Talal Al-Kharafi at a press conference on Tuesday evening.
Eleven Kuwaitis will be among the 38 inventors from the Gulf region taking part in the gathering which will be held in collaboration with the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, said Al-Kharafi who is also chairman of the organizing committee.
He extolled His Highness the Amir for "his kind patronage of this unique convention" and "limitless support for Kuwaiti inventors.
"Under Global Innovation Index 2017 rankings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) the State of Kuwait was rated as the first country in the Middle East and the world's 56 in supporting scientific innovations," he pointed out.
"Kuwait's global position last year is 11 points higher than the previous year's rating," Al-Kharafi said, noting that the Kuwait ranked 18th in terms of efficacy of inventions, thereby joining the world's top 20 countries with high national income.
"The annual IIFME gained great significance locally, regionally and internationally as it highlights the inventions, innovations and creativity of youths," he went on.
Since its launching in 2007, the convention has promoted Kuwait's modernity and its role in encouraging and supporting the inventors and participants in this public service.
The 10th version will feature many activities, including displaying the various innovative ideas or inventions, and competitions for best inventions to be judged by a highly competent panel. It will also award valuable prizes for top inventions; these include the KSC award, the GCC Patent Office award, the award of the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva and the WIPO-IFIA award, Al-Kharafi added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sallam Al-Ka'balani, representative of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), reaffirmed the foundation's continued support to the fair, noting that both share the same noble target, which is to promote scientific research and technological innovation.
He thanked His Highness the Amir - the Board Chairman of KFAS, for his care for Kuwaiti researchers and inventors.
On his part, David Taji-Farouki, head of the jury of the fair for the 10th year running, said the arbitration panel is made up of the world's best arbiters who enjoy long experience in judging the scientific achievements according to international standards.
A three-member jury will determine the winners of the awards in each of the 22 categories of the competition offered in this gathering, he added.
Taji-Farouki commended the continued collaboration between the fair and the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva since 2007. (end) zak.gb