The European Union (EU) and China have recently concluded talks on a bilateral agreement for the protection of 100 European Geographical Indications (GIs) in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the EU.
The agreement aims to increase the demand for high-quality products and generate trade benefits in both the EU and China.
The list of EU products that would be GI protected in China includes Cava, Feta, Irish whiskey, Champagne, Munchener Bier, Polska Wodka, Ouzo, Queso Manchego, and Prosciutto di Parma. The Chinese products that will have Geographical Indication Protection in the EU cover Pixian Dou Ban, Anji Bai Cha, Panjin Da Mi, and Anqiu Da Jiang.
China’s Ministry of Commerce on 7th November 2019 said that this bilateral agreement amid the EU and China on GI is of milestone significance in regards to strengthening China-EU economic and trade cooperation. The spokesperson for the ministry – Gao Feng announced that GI is a name or sign used on products having a specific geographical origin and possess reputation or qualities that are due to that origin. This agreement is expected not only to prohibit counterfeiting of GI products but also to enable consumers to get high-quality items. It has likewise provided a robust guarantee for Chinese stocks to enter the EU market and improve their brand awareness there and worldwide, he added.
Gao continued by saying that with this agreement, Chinese products will have the right to use the EU’s official certification mark, thus making it easier for firms to export relevant items to Europe. At the same time, the agreement will aid in alleviating China’s poverty as some of the Chinese GI products originate from underdeveloped areas in the nation. China and the EU are willing to work together to implement the GI agreement, promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and improve the well-being of the residents on both sides, he added.
Meanwhile, China also rests with a well-established GI system having specialties that European consumers can discover now. With EU agri-food exports that reached €12.8bn in the last year, China has become the second-largest country for EU agri-food exports. Besides, due to the continuously growing middle-class demand for high-quality, genuine, and iconic European products, the Chinese market is a remarkably profitable platform for European food and drinks.
Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the European GI products are famous for their quality across the world. Trusting the origin and genuineness of these products, consumers never mind paying the higher prices, while additionally rewarding the farmers. This recent agreement shows their commitment and willingness to work with their global trading partners like China. It is a win that will benefit both the parties by strengthening the trading relationship, benefitting the agricultural and food sectors, and profiting consumers on both sides.
At last, it is expected that the agreement will now have to face legal scrutiny, with predictions that it will come into force before the end of 2020. For more visit: https://www.trademarkmaldives.com
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