Government adds 4 more products to nation’s GI list
The government added Thong Dee Ban Thaen pomelos, Pet Non Thai Manila tamarind, Bang Khla aromatic coconuts and Ratchaburi dragon jars to the country’s geographical indication (GI) list, the latest move to generate income for local communities.
The addition raises the number of Thai indigenous products with GI registration from the Commerce Ministry to 124 products in 76 provinces, leaving only one province, Ang Thong, yet to register a GI product.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular country, region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics.
The certification of unique characteristics and quality typically increases the market value in developed countries.
Thong Dee Ban Thaen pomelos are from Chaiyaphum, Pet Non Thai Manila tamarind are from Nakhon Ratchasima, Bang Khla aromatic coconuts are from Chachoengsao, and Ratchaburi dragon jars are from Ratchaburi province.
Deputy Commerce Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol said the GI registration will help protect the branding of these community’s indigenous products and build consumer confidence in their quality as well as local wisdom.
The government is committed to developing and promoting GI products in every province this year to generate income for communities.
Ang Thong province has already proposed its indigenous Ekkarat drum for certification.
The government aims to raise sales from GI products to more than 30 billion baht by 2024, while linking GI to tourism.
GI product sales topped 5.2 billion baht last year, up from 4 billion in 2018 and 3.7 billion in 2017.
Mr Weerasak said the Intellectual Property Department has been promoting the GI logo for quality control and convincing local entrepreneurs to boost GI sales and increase income for local communities by both online and offline channels.
In a related development, the department yesterday teamed up with Central Food Retail Co to promote Nont durian, a GI product harvested once a year from Nonthaburi. Nont durian received GI certification on May 11, 2010.