Ashvin Limbachiya, Ahmedabad:
30 October 2026:
The second day of the International Seminar on “Geographical Indications (GI)”, organised jointly by the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), France, witnessed insightful and engaging deliberations.
The two-day Mega Exhibition and International Seminar, held on 29th and 30th October 2026 at GCCI, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, was organised around the theme “From Protection to Promotion: Building Value through Origin & Quality.”
The second day featured valuable insights and meaningful discussions by international experts, policymakers and industry stakeholders, focusing on strengthening the Geographical Indications (GI) ecosystem, promoting GI-tagged products, facilitating market access, and enhancing their recognition and competitiveness in global markets.
The programme was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, who shared insights on the evolving Intellectual Property ecosystem in India. He highlighted key reforms and digital initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and ease of doing business, including streamlined examination procedures and reduced timelines for patent examination and grants. The interaction also explored opportunities for collaboration between GCCI and the Indian IP Office to strengthen IP awareness and promote the protection and commercialization of intellectual property.
The day commenced with an international session on Building a National Identity for GI Products, followed by panel discussions on practical aspects of GI protection, including inspection and control mechanisms, traceability and enforcement against misuse in domestic and export markets.
Further discussions focused on emerging challenges in GI development, particularly the impact of climate change on production zones and the sustainability of GI value chains. Another panel deliberated on Protecting GI Quality: Authenticity over Imitation, highlighting the importance of quality regulation under India’s Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, in safeguarding authenticity and protecting producers’ interests.
International sessions also explored the development of GI systems in emerging economies, the relationship between GIs and traditional knowledge, territorial development and GI tourism, featuring country case studies from South Asian and South-East Asian delegations.
Eminent experts, namely Mrs. Gopi Jatin Trivedi, Mrs. N.M.C. Manel Weerasekara, Mrs. Delphine Marie-Vivien, Mr. Sok Sarang, Mr. Stéphane Constantin and Mr. Md. Jahangir Hossain, Mr. Antoine Ginestet, . Mrs. N.A.N. Nishshanka, Mrs. Do Thi Diem Nhi shared international perspectives on these issues.
The programme concluded with a Valedictory Session, featuring the summing up and way forward by representatives of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and INPI France. Mr. Ayush Modi, Co-chairman, IPR Committee, GCCI proposed the Vote of Thanks.
Alongside the seminar, the Mega GI Exhibition, featuring products showcased by over 19 artisans from Gujarat and India as well as Sri Lanka, continued to receive encouraging responses on the second day. The exhibition provided visitors with an opportunity to interact directly with artisans and producers, appreciate India’s rich traditional craftsmanship and explore networking and business opportunities, further promoting the visibility and market potential of GI products.
The second day further reinforced the importance of international cooperation, effective GI protection, sustainable value chains and stakeholder engagement in transforming Geographical Indications into drivers of regional identity, producer empowerment, trade and economic growth.
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