WIPO and IPOS Lead Southeast Asia Dialogue on Enhancing IP Valuation and Financing Frameworks

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), in collaboration with the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and with support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO), convened a three-day regional dialogue titled “Unlocking IP Value: A Regional Dialogue on IP Valuation and Financing Across Southeast Asia” in Singapore from August 24 to 26, 2026. This event brought together representatives from ASEAN Member States, government ministries, agencies, and intellectual property offices to exchange knowledge and advance regional cooperation on intellectual property (IP) valuation and financing.

The dialogue commenced with opening remarks from Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan, Director of the WIPO Singapore Office; Dr. Bernard Ong, Assistant Chief Executive of IPOS; H.E. Mr. Suon Vichea, Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Director of the Department of Intellectual Property of Cambodia, who also chairs the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and joined via video; and Mr. Yoshiaki Kodachi, Director of the International Policy Division of the JPO. The session included an introduction to the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

Day 1 concentrated on establishing the foundational elements necessary to build trusted IP valuation and financing ecosystems. Ms. Allison Mages, Head of WIPO’s IP Commercialization Section, outlined collaborative roles for governments, development banks, financial institutions, valuers, and insurers to address financing gaps faced by intangible asset-intensive businesses. Complementing this, Mr. Alex Haigh of Brand Finance presented data underscoring the rising value of intangible assets globally while highlighting ongoing ASEAN challenges related to disclosure, valuation practices, and the use of IP as collateral.

Further, Ms. Chua Ai Leng of EY-Parthenon and the Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore (IVAS), introduced Singapore’s Intangible Asset Valuation Guidelines. She explained how enhanced transparency regarding valuation assumptions, risks, economic life, and methodologies can bolster confidence in valuation outcomes. ASEAN Member States then shared their respective approaches, including Indonesia’s IP-backed financing framework and pilot program, Malaysia’s initiatives to build IP valuation capacity, Thailand’s engagement with financial institutions, and the Philippines’ development of the ASEAN IP Valuation Handy Manual.

The dialogue then examined the practical characteristics and conditions that render IP a viable asset for financing. Mr. Michael Kos of WIPO highlighted legal, regulatory, valuation, and risk-sharing frameworks that have supported IP finance in various markets. Ms. Lally Rementilla of IP Investment Partners emphasized the necessity for predictable IP-linked cash flows, risk-adjusted returns, and scalable deal pipelines to attract investors. Mr. Jeremy Loh of Genesis Alternative Ventures discussed challenges Southeast Asian lenders face in assessing IP and the potential role of specialist expertise and IP as supplementary collateral.

On Day 2, the focus shifted from frameworks to real-world IP financing practices. Mr. Murli Ravi of Tin Men Capital stressed that investors ultimately finance businesses rather than IP assets in isolation, considering factors such as the management team, market opportunity, and commercial traction. Ms. Mary Jade T. Roxas-Divinagracia of PwC Philippines highlighted the importance of sustainable cash flows and commercialization efforts. Ms. Christine Ng of Adastra Intellectual Property discussed how valuation translates IP into actionable information for lenders and investors in financing decisions.

Drawing on the Republic of Korea’s experience, Mr. Choi Jin Yong, CEO of Lux Ventures, illustrated how IP financing can evolve from valuation and public risk-sharing mechanisms toward a comprehensive institutional ecosystem that integrates valuation, repayment capacity, risk mitigation, commercialization, and recovery. He underscored that IP ownership alone does not guarantee bankability and that different financing objectives require tailored valuation approaches.

The dialogue concluded with ASEAN Member States identifying priorities for the next phase of regional cooperation. These include developing practical valuation guidance, establishing common terminology, producing model reports and case studies, enhancing professional and financial-sector capacity, improving access to transaction data, and fostering continued engagement with regulators and private-sector stakeholders. These discussions will inform the forthcoming phase of the WIPO ASEAN IP Valuation Project and broader initiatives to strengthen IP valuation and financing ecosystems across Southeast Asia.