The Ministry of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan is working on establishment of the State Service of Intellectual Property, the official Turkmen source said.

The corresponding decree was signed by the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Ministry of Economy is also required to develop and adopt the provision on the new public service.

It is expected to serve the purpose of bringing the national system of intellectual property protection in line with international standards, contribute to promotion of science, technology and culture in the development of the state and society, and guarantee protection of intellectual property rights of persons at national and international levels.

Last year, members of the national Majlis (Parliament) approved the new edition of the Civil Code relating to intellectual property rights. The law "On Copyright and Related Rights" was adopted as well.

Turkmenistan is in process of studying the issue of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Local experts say that, in general, the possible entry of Turkmenistan in this international economic organization will provide a significant opportunity to strengthen the country's competitiveness in international markets, contribute to the growth of foreign economic relations and, respectively, increase the foreign demand for products and services of Turkmen manufacturers.

The European Union, represented by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, suggested Turkmenistan to join the WTO in January 2011.