A seminar on labeling products by geographical origin was held on October 1-2 a the

Cambodiana Hotel to help to raise awareness of how so-called GI labeling could help

Cambodia protect certain products.

A GI law is now being drafted in the intellectual property department of the Ministry

of Commerce.

Although the seminar focused on European and ASEAN experiences, an official said

several Cambodian agricultural products could benefit from such labeling.

Am Phirum, the GI Secretariat member for Cambodia, said potential products for GI

protection are Battambang rice and oranges, pepper and durian from Kampot, Ratanakiri

coffee, and palm tree wine from Kampong Speu.

Ana Sieiro, GI expert from Portugal, which was the first country to put GI labeling

on its wine, said the labeling protects brand name products and can improve sales

and exports.

Pajchima Tanasanti, director of Trademark office of Thailand, said Thailand's GI

regulations go beyond the European Union focus on agricultural products to also include

industrial products and handicrafts.

The seminar was presided over by Mao Thora, under secretary of state from the Ministry

of Commerce and Rafael Dochao Moreno, delegate from European Commission.