Conference on the Geographical Indications from Black Sea Basin was Held in Batumi

On meeting held in Batumi on June 3, 2022 where representatives of organizations engaged in the geographical indications system discussed the situation in the Black Sea Basin countries on geographical indications. “International Business Development and Investment Promotion Center’s” (IBDIPC) organized Conference covered issues such as the object and importance of appellation of origin and geographical indication, Georgian geographical indications products, current situation on their registration and protection, international cooperation practices and European experience in this field. 

Among the speakers of the Conference was Acting Head of the Legal Department of Sakpatenti - Mr. Irakli Kasradze. He delivered presentation and introduced to participant “Georgian system of protection of geographical indications”. “Main aspects of protection of geographical indications” was discussed by Mr. David Gabunia director of “OriGIn Georgia”. The organization was founded by the National Wine Agency and Sakpatenti, with the main objective to reveal potential geographical indications and identify their characteristics. The Conference topics included information on current situation and challenges on appellations of origin in Georgian wine industry, and facts on geographical indications present and potential in the Achara region. 

The participants of the event also familiarized with the international experience. Mr. Jean-Louis Buer, international expert on geographical indications, delivered a presentation on the experience of Europe, namely, France. In addition, experts from Turkey and Romania shared their experience with the participants. Besides, local producers of geographical indications goods delivered presentations at the Conference. 100 participants of the event had an opportunity to taste GI products at the exhibition, organized as a side event at the Conference by local producers together with their Turkish and Romanian colleagues. 

The event was held within the international project “Black Sea Geographical Indications Network” (BS GIN – BSB 1191). The projects partners are the “Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA)” (Turkey), organization “TERNOPOL” (Romania) and the “International Business Development and Investment Promotion Center” - IBDIPC (Georgia). The project in implemented within the EU ENI Black Sea Basin Cooperation Program.