ADAMA-The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) emphasized that applying geographical indications (GI) to Ethiopian agricultural products can enhance their global market penetration, safeguard their reputation, and foster recognition among local and international consumers.
Geographical indications involve identifying products with specific origins and unique characteristics tied to a region, nation, or locality. At a workshop held in Adama yesterday, EIPA Director General WolduYemessel highlighted the importance of registering products such as coffee, honey, cattle, sesame, fruits, and flowers as geographically indicated items to protect their unique qualities and establish a distinct reputation globally.
The workshop, organized to validate Ethiopia’s draft law on geographical indications for origin-linked products, brought together stakeholders to discuss implementing the GI system. The initiative aims to create awareness among communities, promote Ethiopian products domestically and internationally, and reap significant economic benefits.
Woldu stated that geographically designed products help gain international recognition, protect their identity, and increase their appeal for both export and local consumption. “Identifying and registering these products as geographical indications guarantees their authenticity, protects creativity, and ensures credibility in national and international markets,” he said.
The Director General also noted that EIPA is actively working to safeguard and register agricultural products and other properties as geographical indications. This effort, he added, will benefit producers by guaranteeing product quality, curbing unfair competition, and encouraging creative use of local resources.
The draft GI law, once validated, will be implemented after awareness campaigns targeting local communities. These campaigns will highlight the advantages and impacts of the GI system, which aims to elevate Ethiopian products’ visibility and competitiveness.
ICIPE Ethiopia Apiculture Lead, FreweiniAsefa (PhD),echoed the benefits of geographical indications. She explained that geographic names-whether of countries, regions, or specific villages-are powerful tools for enhancing product reputation and marketability. She emphasized that GIs could stimulate economic growth, command premium prices in global markets, prevent counterfeiting, and establish production standards.
The workshop, organized by EIPA in collaboration with the International Centre of Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) Ethiopia, focused on refining the draft law and preparing it for implementation. By promoting the GI system, Ethiopia aims to bolster its export market, enhance its national development, and provide consumers with authentic products tied to their origins.
The initiative underscores the potential of Ethiopian products to thrive in international markets by leveraging their unique characteristics and origins. As the GI system is adopted, Ethiopian agricultural products stand to gain recognition, trust, and value worldwide.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2024
