Geographical indications to be applied in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At a meeting of the expert group of the Senate Committee of the Oliy Majlis on judicial and legal issues and combating corruption, the Law on Geographical Indications was considered.

It was attended by senators, experts, specialists, representatives of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional, district and city Kengashes of people’s deputies and the media.

At the event, experts stressed the importance of local authorities providing practical assistance to product manufacturers.

It is known that a geographical indication is an identification mark of a product as a product originating from the territory of a certain geographical object.

In general, geographical indications consist of the name of the place of origin of the goods. For example, one of the geographic indicators is "Roquefort", which means cheese produced only in a certain region of France. Examples of geographic indicators abroad are "Swiss" (hours), "Feta" (cheese) and others.

The Committee experts noted that the country also has great potential for promoting products of certain regions, especially in the field of agriculture and crafts, but regional brands are underdeveloped due to strict requirements for geographical names of origin of goods.

In particular, today only 4 geographical indications of origin of goods are registered in Uzbekistan, 2 of which belong to local manufacturers Bagizagan (Samarkand region), Chortoq (Namangan region).

At the meeting, it was noted that local business entities have ample opportunities for developing the production of goods marked with a geographical indication. In particular, “Chust knife”, “Margilan atlas”, “Bukhara carpet”, “Bakhmal apple”, “Mirzachul melon”, “Samarkand bread”, “Kashkadarya tandoor meat” and other unique products.

As already noted, a geographical indication can, as a rule, be registered at the request of several legal or natural persons located in this geographical object, the name of which is used to identify the goods produced. As an exception, the Law contains such norms as the possibility of filing an application for registration by one legal or natural person in the absence of other interested persons.

It was also noted at the meeting that the document provides for empowering non-governmental non-profit organizations and relevant khokimiyats with the right to apply to the authorized body for registration of geographical indications.

The participants noted that the implementation of this law will serve to increase the number of manufacturers wishing to register product indications and, most importantly, will contribute to the development of regional brands.

As a result of the meeting, an expert opinion on this Law was prepared and submitted to the Committee on Judicial-Legal Issues and Anti-Corruption.