Rwanda Contracts PCT, Becomes 144th Contracting State of PCT

Author: Sudhir Kumar

On May 31, 2011 Rwanda became the 144th Contracting State of PCT, however the Provisions of PCT shall be brought into force within 3 months of contracting i.e. on August 31, 2011. The last addition to PCT was on May 3, 2011 when Qatar contracted PCT (though PCT would come into force on August 3, 2011). Before that in 2009 Peru and Thailand were made the members 141 and 142 contracting states. Soon it shall be possible to file and designate PCT Application in 144 countries around the globe. This will provide Application extra time after filing PCT to choose countries where they want to secure their invention.

Republic of Rwanda is a country in central and eastern Africa and as per 2011 census has population of approximately 11.4 million. It is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda is landlocked country.

The per-capita GDP is estimated at $1,284 in 2011. Rwanda joined the East African Community in 2007 and there are plans for a common East African shilling, which could be in place by 2012. Rwanda is a country of few natural resources, and the economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture by local farmers using simple tools. An estimated 90% of the working population farms, and agriculture comprised an estimated 42.1% of GDP in 2010. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, and food imports are required.

Crops grown in the country include coffee, tea, pyrethrum, bananas, beans, sorghum and potatoes. Coffee and tea are the major cash crops for export, with the high altitudes, steep slopes and volcanic soils providing favourable conditions. Reliance on agricultural exports makes Rwanda vulnerable to shifts in their prices. Shortage of land, water shortage, insufficient and poor quality feed and regular disease epidemics with insufficient veterinary service are major constraints that restrict output. Fishing takes place on the country's lakes, but stocks are very depleted, and live fish are being imported in an attempt to revive the industry.

The industrial sector is small, contributing 14.3% of GDP in 2010. Products manufactured include cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles and cigarettes. Rwanda's mining industry is an important contributor, generating US$93 million in 2008. Minerals mined include cassiterite, wolframite, gold and coltan, which is used in the manufacture of electronic and communication devices such as mobile phones. Tourism is fast-growing sector and leading foreign exchange earner for Rwanda.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/patents-articles/rwanda-contracts-pct-becomes-144th-contracting-state-of-pct-4984198.html

About the Author

Author is practising Advocate, Registered Patent Agent and Trademark Attorney. Author is partner with IntellexIP Advocates and is member of Supreme Court Bar Association, Delhi High Court Bar Association, New Delhi Bar Association, Asian Patent Attorneys Association. Author can be reached at s.kumar@intellexip.com or www.intellexip.com