Within the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications an Exhibition of Georgian Products Protected by Geographical Indications was Opened

Within the Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications, an exhibition of Georgian products protected by geographical indications was opened in Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace Hotel. The participants of the Worldwide Symposium will have an opportunity to familiarize with the unique Georgian products.

It is significant that the status of a geographical indication informs consumers about the place of origin of a product, the specific quality, features and reputation of a product, which are attributable to the particular natural environment of the place of its production – soil, water composition, climate, landscape and, at the same time, the traditional knowledge and experience of production preserved among the local population. According to the data of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the products protected by geographical indications are in especially high demand on the market and their price is on average 2.5 times higher as compared with other similar products, hence, products having specific characteristics play an important role in the regional development of countries, which creates new jobs and increases incomes, reduces work force drain and stimulates attraction of new business resources, as well as increases the awareness of the region and facilitates development of rural tourism.

At the exhibition, 64 Georgian appellations of origin and geographical indications, registered at Sakpatenti, are shown according to regions of Georgia. Individual details characteristic of various regions of Georgia and modern artistic exhibits of folk architecture create a miniature model of Georgian regions with their original ethno-culture. The everyday objects include varied Georgian products arranged in artistic compositions – 38 appellations of origin and 26 geographical indications. Among the exhibition products there are wines of 29 varieties (Khvanchkara, Mukuzani, Tsinandali, Akhasheni, Kindzmarauli, Manavi, Atenuri, etc.), 8 mineral waters (Nabeghlavi, Sairme, Borjomi, Mitarbi, etc.), 13 varieties of cheeses (Tushetian Guda, Tenili, Adjarian Chlechili, Sulguni, Imeretian Cheese, Dambalkhacho, etc.). The exhibition also shows 12 varieties of agricultural products, including: 3 varieties of honey (Machakhela Honey, Ninotsminda Honey, Mukhuri Honey), 1 tea (Tkibuli Mountain Tea), 1 variety of greens – (Kutaisi Greens), 1 variety of potato (Akhalkalaki Potato), 1 variety of sweets (Churchkhela), 1 milk product (Matsoni), 1 sauce (Tkemali), 1 condiment (Ajika), 1 spice (Georgian Bay Leaf), 1 variety of tangerine (Kheta Tangerine), 1 variety of spirits (Chacha), 1 non-agricultural product (Qvevri). The exhibition stand also presents the list of the Georgian appellations of origin and geographical indications protected in Georgia with their specifications. Visitors will also familiarize with the booklets showing maps of Georgian wine, cheese and agricultural products. It should be noted that at the exhibition a master class on painting clay products is delivered for guests. The invited Georgian artists painted small clay cups, qvevris (wine jars), phials, jugs. The Symposium visitors themselves also participate in the creative process, they are mastering the art of clay decoration with color acrylic paints. The objects decorated by them will be given as souvenirs to the authors, the Symposium participants who are interested in the living process of creation.

The Worldwide Symposium on Geographical Indications is attended by up to 300 representatives from 62 countries, whereas about 800 participants are joining the Symposium remotely.

Among the participants there are the management of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), representatives of the Commission of the European Union and international organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), the global alliance of Geographical Indications Network (oriGIn), as well as representatives of the Government and the Parliament  of Georgia, the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia,  state agencies and private sector. The Symposium is also attended by the heads of Intellectual Property Offices, GI experts and sectoral specialists, scientists from leading universities of various countries.