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| Sunday, 20 July 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Lanka represented at 'GI' producers meeting A recent meeting on 'GI' producers, held in Switzerland, was attended by 58 participants from 17 countries. Hasitha De Alwis, Acting Director General, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Niranjan De Mel, CEO, Tea Association of Sri Lanka represented the island and were assisted by Dayaratne Silva, Minister (Economic and Commercial) Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Switzerland. An International Geographical Indications Network called 'Origin' that creates a platform for GI producers to express their opinions at international negotiations was established at the meeting. The organisation helps member countries by providing technical assistance to develop, protect and promote their GIs, exchange ideas and know-how between members, facilitate transfer of technology and expertise and make collective representations at international negotiations. The objectives of the meeting were to demonstrate that many countries are interested in GI and deliver a strong message to World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiators, calling for improved international protection of GIs. This rallying was crucial as a WTO meeting is scheduled to be held in Mexico in September, which will be important for producers who want to obtain protection of GIs. The 'TRIPS' Agreement defines GIs as indications of products, which identify as originating in the territory of a member or of a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality reputation or other characteristics of the products, which are inherent and essentially attributed to its geographical origin. Substantial progress can be expected at the forthcoming WTO negotiations regarding protection of GIs. The Tea Board is in the process of formulating regulations to register the 'Ceylon Tea' name and the agro-climatic zones of Uva, Dimbula, Nuwara Eliya, Udapussellawa, Kandy and Ruhuna under geographical indications of the Intellectual Property Bill. |
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