KUCHING, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will take steps to enhance public awareness on the importance of having local products patented, said its deputy minister Fadillah Yusof.

He said the ministry was willing to offer technical assistance and advice to the local designers to ensure that they were given the copyright for their products.

"The ministry will organise a Creative and Innovative Festival next year with the aim of enhancing public awareness on the importance of having local products patented," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak Community College's anti-drug programme here today.

At present, Fadillah said only those (designers) at the university level showed more concern about the importance of copyright and patent, while the awareness level among the general public was still low.

Earlier in his speech, Fadillah said the country was in need of more innovative and creative people as they could be a vital asset for the country to compete at the international level.