The UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) has praised the Arab media for its ongoing efforts to promote the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR).

Undersecretary, planning sector, MOE, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi applauded the role of the media while speaking at the Business Software Alliance (BSA) Pan Arab IPR Media Awards held at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai.

He was speaking at the event on behalf of the UAE Minister of Economy Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi. He also awarded prizes to journalists who were recognised as playing a pivotal role in promoting IPR.

'Intellectual property is an important facet in the development of the Middle East, as it leads to industry development, especially in the IT sector; contributes to the economic prosperity of the community in general; and also facilitates our transition to knowledge-based economies,' he said.

During the event, the ministry also promised to continue to lend support to relevant authorities who boost the UAE's image as a viable and transparent business destination through introducing and enforcing IPR protection measures.

The Pan Arab IPR Media Awards - now in the third successive year - are initiated by BSA, an international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, to recognise the role played by the media in combating piracy and ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights.

According to recent statistics, the Middle East is one of only two regions in the world that witnessed a decrease in its overall digital piracy rate in 2006; with the UAE achieving the lowest rate of digital piracy in the region, coming in seventeenth overall worldwide.Trade Arabia News Service