Paraguay moves forward in patent applications with support from CAF and CONACYT

The patenting process began in March 2018, with technology designs developed in intensive workshops for Fast Track Development of Patents held in Paraguay in 2017 by CAF-development bank of Latin America- and the National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT), which launched a support program for institutional strengthening in technological innovation in order to encourage technology development in Paraguay for insertion in international markets.

After verification of novelty and inventive step, 16 designs moved on to the patenting process in Paraguay’s National Intellectual Property Directorate (DINAPI) and the United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The technologies focus mainly on solving social and technical issues identified in Paraguay but with adaptability to other countries. This will allow Paraguayan technologies to be traded in international markets, thus increasing income from hi-tech exports and the royalties for the use of intellectual property.

Jorge Gärtner, CAF Director-Representative in Paraguay, said that “this project seeks to encourage Paraguayan institutions to generate technologies with an international scope, defining proposals that tackle global issues right from the design phase. Training in technological innovation in our institutions is one of the key tasks to increase competitiveness and productivity.”

Professor Luis Alberto Lima Morra, President of CONACYT, said that “CONACYT strives to make a significant contribution in helping the nation achieve the goals set in the Paraguay 2030 National Development Plan and the national STI policy, of increasing fivefold the number of patents granted to Paraguayans. This form of training is crucial for achieving this goal and becoming active members of a knowledge economy.”

In order to cover the entire region, CAF has adapted the methodology used in the intensive workshops for the patent development to an online format, thus creating a MOOC with the CAF method for fast track patent development. With this MOOC we expect to train people on a massive scale in the region, and to have short-term results in indicators of technological innovation of the countries.