Why Must Nepal Act on Geographical Indication (GI) Now?

 

Geographical Indication (GI) is mainly a kind of Intellectual Property (IP) right. It helps identify special products from a geographical region with certain unique features. When a particular product of a country is significantly related to the soil, water, climate, and local culture of a specific geographical region, it is considered a Geographical Indication (GI) product of that country.

 

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), under the United Nations, plays a key role in the spread of GI products worldwide. WIPO works with the governments of all countries by providing a framework for the development of GI, as well as rules and regulations.

 

For a product to be recognized as a GI (Geographical Indication) product, certain conditions must be met. The conditions are as follows:

•        The product should have a rich history of at least 50 years.

•        The product should have some unique features.

•        The product must have originated in that particular geographic region and be related to its climate and culture.

 

Necessity of GI Certification

 

With the recognition of the geographical indication tag, a product becomes unique. The World Intellectual Property Organization, under the United Nations, has stated that GI is important for every country.

 

Geographical indication is not only a status symbol for a product, but it also contributes to making it more famous and increasing its value. A product may be well known in a particular district or province, but once it receives a GI tag, it becomes known to people across the entire country as well as abroad.

 

Almost every district of Nepal has a special or unique product, and thus it could begin awarding GI tags to at least 100 such products. The investment need not be a concern, as the process of awarding a GI tag is not expensive at all.

 

Many traditional products are becoming extinct because people do not know about them; there is not enough demand to sustain them. GI can play a crucial role in keeping these products alive. If Nepal takes the initiative to award GI tags to 100 products, GI products could start making a significant contribution to the country's GDP.

 

Most traditional products with a history of 50 to 100 years are found mainly in rural areas, where grassroots people are engaged in producing them. So, it is the grassroots producers who benefit most when a product receives a GI tag.

 

Current Scenario of GI Products in Nepal

 

Nepal has yet to take any initiative on GI registration. Bangladesh took the initiative in 2013, and currently has 55 GI-tagged products in the country. Nepal has not adopted any GI policy or enacted any related law. Meanwhile, Nepal's neighbors — India, Pakistan, and Bhutan — have come forward to register GI products such as:

1.      Pashmina shawl

2.      Basmati rice

3.      Sel roti

4.      Gundruk (a fermented dry vegetable dish prepared from dried vegetable leaves)

 

Currently, India has more than 600 GI-tagged products. Bhutan has taken the initiative to register 205 GI products within the next few years. The largest number of GI-tagged products in the world, 9,785, belongs to China.

 

Necessity of a GI Tag in Nepal

 

Nepal should take the concept of GI products very seriously without wasting any time. It could contribute to the country's tourism and export sectors. GI products help increase employment and foreign currency earnings for a country. If a product receives a GI tag, an additional 20% in value is created. Its export potential increases significantly, as it is considered an authentic and unique product of a region. GI also plays a supportive role in country branding. Nepal is already rich in tourism potential, and GI can help make ecotourism more popular.

 

Unfortunately, Nepal has not taken this matter seriously at all, while its neighbors and other South Asian countries have taken the issue of GI very seriously. Nepal is the only country in the region without any GI-tagged products and without any legal framework for geographical indication.

 

This inaction may prove very costly for Nepal's economy in the future. So, Nepal must act now, or it may be too late.