VIRTUAL NETWORKING MEET FOR AGRI AND FOOD GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) PRODUCTS

• Recently, the government of India organized a Virtual Networking Meet for Agri and Food Geographical Indication (GI) products in association with the Embassy of India, Doha and Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) Qatar.
• This Meet provided a platform for interaction between the India exporters and importers of Qatar on the strength of India in export of agri and food products of Indian origin and distinct attributes.
• Geographical Indication (GI) is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• It is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• It was decided and also stated under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention that the “protection of industrial Property and Geographical Indication are elements of Intellectual Property”.
• It is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods).
• This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
• Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name.
• GI registration of a product provides it legal protection and prevention against unauthorised use by others.
• GI tag helps in promoting the exports of the product.
• It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product. 

Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• APEDA was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December, 1985.
• The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
• APEDA, which comes under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has contributed significantly in promoting export of agriculture and processed food products with a share of around 50% (USD 24.77 bn) in overall agri exports during 2021-22.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT