PHNOM PENH, 2 July 2024 – Mr. Chamnimol, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Management Committee, presided over the opening ceremony of the “Strengthening the Geographical Identification System of Goods and Products of Sustainable Cambodian Geographical Identification” project on the afternoon of 1 July 2024.
The event was attended by the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mr. Rebec Cavell, representatives from relevant ministries and agencies, the private sector, embassies and development partners, as well as a large number of local and international guests.
The Minister expressed his support for the implementation of the “Sustainable Cambodia Geographical Markets and Commodities Project” and expressed his gratitude to FAO for providing technical assistance to the project. The Minister stressed that the project will provide an opportunity for ministries, relevant agencies, the private sector and development partners to strengthen cooperation, develop capacities and address common challenges to strengthen the value chain of Cambodia’s GI products.
The Minister expects the project will provide a clear study to establish a concrete basis for developing strategies to promote Cambodia’s geographic brand and strengthen the capacity of stakeholders.
She said geographical indications are intellectual property tools that play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship, developing farming communities, increasing community incomes and generating commercial competitiveness, thereby contributing to social, economic, cultural and tourism development.
Since 2007, the Ministry of Commerce has been working on the development of geographical indication trademarks and has established a geographical indication trademark development system, including the establishment of a geographical indication trademark office, preparation of legal standards and implementation of the protection registration project for “Kampot Pepper” and “Kampong Spoo Palm Sugar”. These products have gained a good reputation as they are closely related to the geographical region, local knowledge, technology and customs, and have been registered as geographical marks of goods.
Since the registration of Kampot Pepper and Kampong Spoo Palm Sugar in 2010, the number of farmers producing these products and the number of packaging and processing companies have increased significantly. These products are in high demand domestically and are also exported to many countries.
Kampot Pepper and Kampong Speu Palm Sugar are registered to protect international brands, prevent counterfeiting, enhance the reputation of Cambodian products in the international arena, gain consumer trust and support, and contribute to Cambodia’s development as a tourist destination. In addition, Kampot Kep Salt has applied for registration through the European Union and Geneva legal systems.
The Minister made a number of recommendations, including:
Preparation of legal documents necessary for the protection and development of GI trademarks.
Cooperation to strengthen the management and development of the Geographical Indication Mark Association.
Ongoing promotion and capacity building of the Association’s members.
Promoting technology adoption in GI product production.
Strengthening the internal control system of the association and certification bodies.
Preparation of legal and infrastructure documentation and capacity building of relevant institutions to become a trademark conformity certification unit.
Expanding the value chain and product innovation.
Collaboration to become a national brand and tourist destination through brand promotion and reputation building.
It should be noted that Cambodia has registered seven geographical trademarks: 1- Kampot Pepper, 2- Kampong Speu Palm Sugar, 3- Koh Trong Grapefruit, 4- Mondulkiri Wild Honey, 5- Kampot Salt Kep, 6- Kampot Fish Sauce Kep, 7- Takeo Lobster.
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