Anticipating a huge market opportunity once the comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated is ratified, the European Union (EU) has sought geographical indication (GI) protection for 190 products in India. The number dwarfs the cumulative number of GI grants in India so far and hints at the potential business opportunities, primarily in agricultural produce, for EU member-countries in India.
A GI is the official stamp of protection for products originating from a particular region, with a special quality and reputation that go back several decades or centuries.
Each GI is valid for 10 years and is renewable any number of times. Located at Chennai, the registrar of GIs is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999.
The office has registered a total of 153 Gis between 2003 and 2011, such as Darjeeling Tea and Mysore Silk. These are mostly products in the handicraft or agriculture category. Of the 153, just four are foreign GIs registered here: Scotch Whisky, Napa Valley, Champagne and Peruvian Pisco.
According to officials, the GI applications from EU member-countries are mostly in the category of beverages such as beer and wine brands, processed meat and milk products, and various bakery items, including biscuits and pastries.
Italy, France and Germany are among the leading applicants, it is learnt. The applications are in various stages of approval.Officials hint the EU is also attempting for simplified procedures for easy registration of these GIs in India.
