Mr. Alexandre Huynh, FAO Representative in Cambodia

Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the UN FAO/AFD Regional Project for the Promotion of Rural Development through Development of Geographical Indications at regional level in Asia, and the Delegation of the European Union in Cambodia, jointly organized a Seminar on the protection and promotion of Geographical Indications (GI) in Cambodia.

The aim of the seminar is to promote and increase public awareness of the latest developments of the GI System in Cambodia, which has just been upgraded through new implementing regulations. and to promote GI as an important value-added instrument for the food and agriculture sectors.

During the opening ceremony, H.E. Pan SORASAK, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia presented the importance of Trademarks and Geographical Indications for business development and emphasized the importance of the year 2016 for the development of GI systems in Cambodia.

“During the past years, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia has emphasized the importance of origin linked products and supported the development of the country’s national trademarks’ and GI’ systems in order to provide business opportunities and increased visibility for Cambodian unique and excellent products. Two national GIs, 'Kampot pepper' and 'Kampong Speu Palm Sugar', are already gaining international recognition as demonstrated by the recent registration (early 2016) of the Kampot pepper as Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in the European Union as well as the pending registration of the Kampong Speu palm sugar in the EU, and in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam” said Mr Pan SORASAK

“GIs are considered, by us in the EU as part of both a country's cultural heritage and economic resources. This is how the EU system for GI registration and protection has developed based on our economic history, and this is how we promote it to partners around the world: as something to be proud of and to benefit from at the same time", said H.E. George Edgar, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia . He added "The European Union, congratulates Cambodia for having its very first GI registered in the European Union: 'Mrech Kampot' or 'Poivre de Kampot’.  Now, Kampot pepper benefits from a very high level of protection on the EU market. Clearly, Kampot pepper has been a success story: both as concerns the preservation of Cambodian heritage but also as a much-needed source of income for Cambodia's farmers and traders".

“The development of GIs contributes to increase the income of small farmers by developing value chains, improving market access and increasing the recognition of GI by consumers. The GI system provides answers for consumers who are looking for high quality, traceable and traditional products. GI is also an important tool to help local producers switch from quantitative to qualitative strategies and to increase opportunities in existing and new markets, mentioned Mr Alexander Huynh, FAO Representative in Cambodia.

“Cambodia has emerged as an important player in terms of Geographical Indications in South East Asia over the last decade. Its move toward a new GI national legislation and the registration of its two emblematic – and already worldwide known –stand as an example of success and have laid solid foundations for the tremendous GI potential in the country that will contribute to support its rural development” quote from Mr. Philippe Steinmetz, AFD Representative in Cambodia.

AFD supports since 2013, in partnership a regional Project managed by the UN FAO for the promotion of Rural Development through the development of Geographical Indications at Regional Level in Asia.

During this Seminar, over 100 participants from public and private sectors exchanged on the successful experience of current GI in Cambodia and latest developments and trends of the GI system to prepare for the next wave of GI applications.

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Background information:

Geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country). The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin. (examples include: Cognac (France),  Kampot Pepper (Cambodia), Darjeeling Tea (India), Long-Ging Tea (China), Kobe beef (Japan)

The GI legal protection aims to protect both producers against unfair competition and misappropriation on one hand, and consumers against misleading on the other hand.

In ASEAN alone over 150 GIs are currently registered during the last decade, making this region one of the most dynamic world-wide.

Geographical Indications are very important in the European Union (EU), where there is a rich history of local and specialist agricultural production. There are currently around 3,300 GIs registered in the European Union.

In 2010, the Ministry of Commerce’s announced the registration of the first two geographical indications in Cambodia, for Kampot Pepper and Kampong Speu Palm Sugar.

In February 2016, Kampot Pepper (registered as 'Mrech Kampot' or 'Poivre de kampot') became the first Cambodian product to be recognised by the European Union as a Geographical Indication. An application for 'Kampong Speu Palm Sugar' is currently in process. Applications of both GIs in neighboring countries (Thailand and Vietnam) are also under process. 

France, through the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Union have been instrumental in its supporting the emergence of Cambodian GIs. 

Among other interventions,  AFD launched in partnership with the UN FAO the "Project for the promotion of Rural Development through the development of Geographical Indications at Regional Level in Asia"  with the overall objective  “to increase incomes of smallholder farmers through the development of GI value chains, improved market access and increased recognition of GI by consumers”.

The European Union has been assisting since 1993 ASEAN countries in developing their systems for the protection of industrial property rights trough three phases of EU-ASEAN Projects on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights (ECAP). The current ECAP (ECAP III) is supporting the development of GIs, providing advice to producers and governments in the region, including Cambodia, and assisting the registration of ASEAN GIs in Europe.

For further information

Mr. Stephane Passeri, FAO-AFD Regional Project for the promotion of Rural Development through Development of Geographical Indication at Regional Level in Asia
E-mail: [email protected] 

Mr. Chheng Channy, Communication Officer, FAO Cambodia
E-mail: [email protected]