Mozambican SMEs can increase their capacity for innovation by using intellectual property rights, in particular marks, industrial designs and utility models. In short, the strategic use of intellectual property is the key to the success of the efforts at innovation and competitiveness made by Mozambican SMEs. This aim will be achieved by means of the following strategic actions: • Organizing training and information on the strategic importance of using intellectual property to promote innovation and competitiveness in SMEs; • Incentivizing interaction between research institutes and SMEs to allow the transfer and application of knowledge to the production sector, thereby promoting innovation; • Supporting the parties in negotiating and regulating their relationship, in particular as regards the ownership of rights and sharing any profits from marketing, etc.; • Stimulating technology transfer between innovators and SMEs, and among SMEs, through the promotion of and mutual respect for intellectual property rights; and • Incentivizing the use of technological information by the SMEs, in particular patents, to boost their capacity for innovation. 6.5. Traditional knowledge and biodiversity Africa is one of the richest continents when it comes to biodiversity. Its extensive territory boasts a wide ecological variety, reflected in an infinite abundance of plant and animal species in the most diverse natural habitats, ranging from deep forest and savannah to arid zones and deserts, its temperate and tropical climatic conditions giving rise to tremendous diversity and endemism. World studies have revealed the richness and usefulness of existing plants and animals. According to these studies, over two-thirds of the species of plants in the world (35,000 of which have medicinal value) are native to developing countries. The studies also show that at least 7,000 of the medicinal components used in conventional medicine derive from plants. In the pharmaceutical industry, natural products contribute between 25 and 50 per cent of total sales.