The Chief Executive Officer of the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) says the Namibian Intellectual Property Rights Laws are outdated and not fit for purpose.

Vivienne Katjiuongua said this during the two-day Namibian Corporate Law Reform Project for the Regional Consultation Programme at Walvis Bay.

Katjiuongua says that as an institution, BIPA is going to look at how to improve the country's ranking in doing business, which includes automating its systems.

She noted that there are certain aspects that are not stipulated in the country's laws, such as issues of corporate governance, which is crucial when it comes to the administration of business.

Katjiuongua further added that it is important when laws are developed and amended for beneficiaries, users, and implementers to be part and parcel of the process.

Also speaking at the occasion was the Associate Professor of Law from South Africa, Tshepo Mongalo, who stated that if Namibia pulls through with the Corporate Law Reform, it will improve the state of the country's relations in business and competitiveness.

BIPA will be hosting the Corporate Law Reform Project for the Regional Consultation Programme meeting countrywide.