(Business in Cameroon) - In partnership with the Employers’ Association of Cameroon (Gicam), the Intellectual Property Organisation (Oapi) is organising a brand new competition for Cameroonian companies from 1 to 31 August 2016. Labelled “Oapi Brand Awards”, the competition is meant to honour the companies who use the industrial property protection system in general and the one for brands in particular, to market their products or services.

Participation in the 1^st edition of these Awards is open to companies established in Cameroon who have made an application or registered their brand at Oapi. A company can only enter one brand in the competition.

There are three categories. The first category is “Oapi Brand Awards Grand Prize” rewards the highly distinctive brand of a company who had a remarkable development at the national level. The second category “Best Local Brand Prize” crowns the brand of a company who protects and enhances the products or services of a region in Cameroon and contributes to its economic and social development. And the third, “Prize of the Public”, is awarded through the public’s vote to the brand which had a significant development over the years, through the marketing action of the company.

The award ceremony of the 1^st edition of the Oapi Brand Awards will take place on 13 September 2016, as part of the closing ceremony of the 17^th edition of the African Technology and Intellectual Property Day.

S.A