PACRA register 18, 000 companies in first half of 2014

The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) has revealed that it registered about 18, 000 businesses in the first half of 2014.

And PACRA has attributed the increase in the number of businesses being registered to the decentralization program that the agency has introduced.

PACRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Bwembya says the agency in the past had offices in Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe but now they have opened offices in all the provincial centers.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Bwembya says there is need to foster the understanding and the importance of intellectual property as a tool for economic development.

He says there is also need for people to take advantage of the Technology and Innovation Support Center that has been created at PACRA Head Office and get required information on registered patents worldwide.

He adds that PACRA as an institution responsible for administering intellectual properties in the country, it will continue to collaborate with researchers in a bid to improve the service delivery.