1. What potential for geographical indications in Myanmar?
Investing in Sustainable Agriculture in Myanmar
What potential for geographical indications in Myanmar?
Yangon – July 20, 2014
Sébastien BOUVATIER
Agricultural Counsellor for ASEAN countries
French Embassy in Singapore
Regional Economic Department/ French Embassy in Singapore
Cluny Park Road, Singapore
Tel: Fax:

2. GI : a definition
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS – 1994)
Article 22 :
«Geographical indications are […] indications
which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member [=country], or a region or locality in that territory,
where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.»
Source: World Trade Organization (WTO)

3. GI : a link between nature, culture and a product
Geographical area + Specific product + Causal link = GI
Natural environment (topography, climate, soil,…)
Producers
(tradition, know-how)
Specific product (quality, reputation)

4. An example of GI : Champagne
Geographical Indication =
Specific area
(climate, limestone subsoil, gently sloping landscape,…)
Intellectual property protection
Name «Champagne» is not reserved to 1 single owner (TM), but can be used by all producers respecting the specifications +
Protection against infrigements : +
Product specifications
(grape varieties, pruning method, maximum yield, wine growing method,…)
Benefits for the producers, consumers
and society at large

5. GIs and sustainable development
Benefits of geographical indications
Economy
Environment
Society
Differentiation on the market = better price
In Europe, price of a GI product is more than twice as the price for a comparable non-GI product
Positive impact on tourism
France :
around 700 GIs
turnover : 21 b €
1 farm out of 4
15 % F&B sector
Extensive practices
Preservation of landscapes and biodiversity
GIs prevent the standardization of food and offer a wider choice to consumers
GIs provide guarantees for the consumers (origin, authenticity, quality,)
As an important part of our culture, GIs contribute to : rural development, social cohesion and preservation of national patrimony (local know-how, tradition,…)
Example : Comté cheese
Inside : open space
Outside : woody landscape

6. Adoption of regulations on GIs
in ASEAN
(2014 ?)
(2012)
(2003)
(2014 ?)
(2006)
(2014)
(2001)
(2007)
(2014)

7. Development of GIs in ASEAN (1/2)
More than 120 registered GIs in ASEAN countries
Chonnabot Mudmee Thai Silk (Thailand)
Phu Quoc fish sauce
(Vietnam)
Kintamani coffee
(Indonesia)

8. Development of GIs in ASEAN (2/2)
Sabah tea
(Malaysia)
Kampot pepper
(Cambodia)
Binh Thuan dragon fruit (Vietnam)
Jepara carving furniture (Indonesia)
Chiang Rai Phulae pineapple (Thailand)
Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong Hai rice (Thailand)

9. What Potential for GIs
in Myanmar ?

10. How to start ? Regulation Adoption of a national regulatory framework
Draft law on trademarks (including a chapter on geographical indications) by MOST
Priorities
National survey on potential GI products
Identification of priority GIs
Technical assistance to producers
Promotion
Communication on geographical indication towards producers and consumers
Study on success stories

11. Thank you for your attention !