Former President James Mancham, who is listed as an Arbitrator with the World Intellectual Properties Organisation (WIPO), has had discussions at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva concerning his participation in the WIPO Summit on Intellectual Property and Knowledge Economy which the Government of the People's Republic of China will host in Beijing in April this year.

This major Summit, the first that will be welcomed by the new leadership in China, will take place at the Great Hall of the People and will reflect and comment on the key role of the Intellectual Property system in stimulating creativity and innovation to foster economic growth and social well-being through wealth creation and business development.

The Summit's closing ceremony on April 26 will include the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day.

Mr Mancham left Mahé a few days after the National Assembly election in mid-December 2002 to attend a business meeting in Dublin, Ireland from where he flew to Brisbane, Australia to spend Christmas and New Year with his family.

Since leaving Brisbane two weeks ago, Mr Mancham has visited Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Geneva and Berlin before arriving London on Wednesday.

He is expected back in the country Saturday 18th.

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