Seminar on Geographical Indications’ Protection and Registration Schemes Held in Hanoi

 

At the seminar, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam Franz Jessen said that “the FTA should encourage the Vietnamese producers holding a Vietnamese GI to get their traditional products protected in the European Union directly through the Agreement. This could facilitate the marketing of their products on international markets”.

 

The speakers highlighted that in general the protected GI products are sold at higher prices compared to “similar” non-GI products. It is proven that the protection schemes have important and positive socio-economic effects on several rural and remote agricultural regions where a great part of these products are produced and manufactured. This applies to both Europe and Vietnam.

 

Mr Silva Rodriguez of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development at the European Commission said: "Both the EU and Vietnam share a long history in agriculture and a rich heritage of traditional knowledge. Protection of our geographical indications and their specificities in our territories is important for economic and social reasons for our rural areas."

 

The event initiated a full week of events under the campaign “Tastes of Europe” with a seminar in Hanoi and HCMC and 3-days participation at the Food&Hotel Vietnam 2013 on April 24 - 26.