KUALA LUMPUR – Home-grown boutique intellectual property (IP) firm KASS International Sdn Bhd announced the opening of its new office in Jakarta, Indonesia which will serve to manage and coordinate KASS’ operations in Indonesia.
Indonesia, being the largest country in Southeast Asia, is always seen as one of the most important countries for protecting IP rights, particularly due to its huge population. Statistics from MATRADE put Indonesia in the top 10 tier in terms of import and export numbers for trade with Malaysia. In the first quarter of 2009, a total of RM4,411.2 million in imports from Indonesia to Malaysia was made. In the first quarter of 2010, this figure went up to RM6,753.8 million.
“The figures indicate a healthy growth for trade in Indonesia. We know this because there is more and more demand from our clients for IP services in the country. The numbers from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property Rights, Indonesia also reflect this increasing demand. In 2006, a total of 4350 foreign patent applications were filed in Indonesia compared to 530 local ones. By 2008, the foreign patent applications numbered at 4781 compared to the 601 local ones. The demand by clients and businesses entering into Indonesia for protection of their IP rights is definitely on a healthy rise. That is why we have the confidence to open our new office in Jakarta,” says P. Kandiah, Managing Director of KASS International.
“Our goal is to become the regional IP service provider, the ‘IP Heartbeat of Southeast Asia’,” he adds. “In conjunction with our 10th year anniversary last year, we opened our regional office in Singapore to oversee all our Southeast Asian regional matters. With the opening of our Indonesian office, we strive to provide seamless top quality IP services to all clients intending to protect their IP rights in the Republic.”
The expansion proves that local IP firms such as KASS have become highly regarded and are able to cater to increasing global demands.