June 21-23, 2023 Thimphu: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) in collaboration with Ministry of Industries, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) is spearheading efforts to establish a Geographical Indications (GI) system in the country, aiming to protect and promote origin-linked and premium products both nationally and internationally. As a part of this initiative, the MoAL with funding support from Food and Agriculture Organization organized a “National Sensitization and Consultation on GI System” for the key stakeholders, including policy decision makers, executives and managers of relevant government agencies and private sector on June 20, 2023 in Thimphu.
The inauguration of the said high-level National Sensitization and Consultation on GI System, was graced by His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor, the Hon’ble Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The event garnered participation from key stakeholders representing five ministries i.e. MoAL, MoICE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and 15 agencies, emphasizing the importance and broad-based collaboration for the establishment of a robust GI protection system in Bhutan. This event, in fact, is one of the major outcomes of concerted efforts that the MoAL, the MoICE and the MoFAET have been jointly making into expediting the process of instituting the GI protection system in Bhutan recently. Addressing the gathering, His Excellency emphasized that taking this much-awaited and needed GI initiative forward to greater heights and the success of the same would call for, amongst others, an unprecedented collaboration, cooperation, consultation, joint efforts and commitment and support from all stakeholders.
Similarly, a two-day (21-22 June, 2023) “National Workshop on GI” for key technical officers and potential implementers at the central government agencies as well as in the field offices and the private sector is underway. In addition, bilateral/individual consultations with relevant agencies and/or representatives of private sector are being organized.
The whole program is being organized with the technical assistance and fund support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Both the National Sensitization and Consultation, and the National Workshop have been conducted and facilitated by Mr. Stephane Passeri, International Consultant and Leader for GI from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.
A GI is a name or sign used on product (s) that has a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a village, community, town, region, or country), and possess qualities, characteristics or a reputation that are essentially attributable its geographical origin. The GI Rights prevent all the third-parties and unauthorized users or manufacturers from using the indication in the products that do not conform to the applicable standards. Besides, GI registration and protection system greatly contributes towards diversifying trade and expanding business, adding value to existing products, maintaining and promoting traditional knowledge, creating employment opportunities, preserving environment, safeguarding and promoting national identity and reputation, supporting other industries such as tourism and fostering overall economic growth and development.
Bhutan, known for its pristine environment and clean farming practices and unique tradition and cultural heritage, has a wide range of unique and indigenous commodities, agricultural products, arts, handicrafts, textiles, beverage, etc., each one of which has a specific geographical location or origin (particularly a village, community, region, or country); is made according to the local traditional methods; and/or possess special qualities or enjoys a good reputation due to its geographical origin. As such, the MoAL is currently working on instituting GI protection for the selected agricultural products and tapping on the potential to reap benefits accruable from the GI, particularly in view of enhancing marketability in the international markets and increasing income from export.
Apart from training and consultations on the key elements of building a national GI system, the ongoing national GI workshop is focusing on identifying potential premium GI products and developing a roadmap and action plan for the establishment of a GI protection system in Bhutan, including GI administration, collective management, control system, certification, promotion/marketing, enforcement, associated inter-agencies cooperation, capacity building, etc.
PPD and DAMC, MoAL
