MoC to seek more GI tags for local products

MoC to seek more GI tags for local products

The GI status has increased the market demand for Khmer agricultural and fishery products in the global markets.

The Royal Government’s efforts to get more Khmer agricultural, fishery and other products listed under the Geographical Indication (GI) category will continue as it will boost their visibility across global markets, a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce has asserted.

Veng Sothy, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, made the statement as he spoke at a seminar on intellectual property rights in Siem Reap organised by the provincial chamber of commerce on Monday. Siem Reap Deputy Governor Nak Neron was present on the occasion.

A GI listing is an intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical location, where its qualities, reputation, or other characteristics are linked to that origin.

The GIs act as a quality assurance, ensuring consumers receive authentic products with unique traits tied to their place of origin and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a subsidiary of the United Nations, performs the role of a coordinator for GI listings.

Sothy said eight Cambodian products have already acquired GI status, namely Kampot Pepper, Kampong Speu Palm Sugar, Koh Trong Pomelo, Mondulkiri Wild Honey, Kampot-Kep Salt, Kampot-Kep Salt Flower, Takeo Lobster, and Siem Reap Prahok.

The Secretary of State said farmers are being offered training in terms of advanced product packaging techniques and product innovation, enabling the creation of a platform where Khmer products successfully compete across global markets.

“The GI status has increased the market demand for Khmer agricultural and fishery products, in turn contributing towards the income rise for small and medium farmers and their families.”

He cited the example of Kampot Pepper, which received GI status in 2010. “Since the attainment of GI status, the global market demand for Kampot Pepper has substantially increased, leading to a huge increase in the birth of pepper farms and providing a consistent source of income for farmers.”

Sothy said the Ministry of Commerce is working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to gain GI status for more Khmer agricultural and fishery products, including Koh Kong Rock Crab. “The GI status will also offer a boost in tourism numbers as many tourists would like to visit farms and see how these products are grown.”

The Royal Government has also been putting efforts into designating cashew crops in Kampong Thom province as a GI product, which is expected to help increase the price of cashew nuts and export potential.

“Securing GI status could have substantial benefits for Kampong Thom’s cashew industry, potentially increasing the product’s market value, enhancing its export potential, and preserving traditional farming knowledge. It also contributes to rural development by protecting local products and empowering producers through collective branding,” the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia earlier said in a statement issued.

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