Seychelles’ authorities learn about identifying and screening of potential GI |20 February 2024
Learning about identifying and screening of potential GI (Photo: Contributed)
The trade department within the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, in collaboration with the European Union, recently organised a workshop on the identification and screening of potential geographical indications of Seychelles.
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used to identify a product as originating from a territory or region, in cases where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the product can be attributed essentially to this geographical origin.
GIs are relevant tools for addressing several challenges related to the development of agricultural and handicraft sectors therefore the Republic of Seychelles is actively pursuing the development of GIs.
The workshop focused on assisting Seychelles’ authorities to undertake the screening phase by:
- Evaluating and highlighting the characteristics and potential (cultural, social, economic, etc.) of potential GIs in the Seychelles
- Identifying the strengths and challenges encountered by the potential products and showing the impact that the GI would have on them (e.g.: collective organization, compliance with standards, and issues related to how the product is marketed in the country, etc.)
The online workshop achieved the following objectives:
- To train stakeholders on the use of analytical tools for identification and selection of products according to their potential to qualify for a geographical indication.
- To engage participants in a reflection on the products’ link to the origin, their reputation, and the strengths and challenges of their respective value chains.
- To come up with 2 or 3 shortlisted products, starting from the list of potential geographical indications proposed by the sub-committee on GIs under the National IP Committee (certain potential GIs Seychelles deliberated on were vanilla, cinnamon, coco de mer and honey).
Examples of internationally well-known GIs are Tequila from Mexico, Champagne from France, or Cheese from Roquefort.
In attendance were representatives from the department of agriculture, Registration Division, Enterprise Seychelles Agency, Seychelles Bureau of Standards, a member of the Coco de Mer selection committee, and the staff of the trade division.
Contributed