The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) yesterday Thursday, September 05, 2019 hosted a workshop on Geographical Indications (GI) to sensitize stakeholders on the benefits of GI Certification and Controls. This one day session, which garnered participants from the public and private sector, was held at the Regency Suites Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
Presenters at the workshop included the Honourable Haimraj Rajkumar, Minister of Business and the Director of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin. The Honourable Haimraj Rajkumar, in his presentation, highlighted the importance of raising the standards and quality of local products toward developing Guyana’s economy. He noted that Geographical Indications can be a powerful marketing tool to help Guyana get its products onto the global market. Further, the Minister of Business stated that Government recognizes the usefulness of GI as a tool, which can support the promotion of local products worldwide; and therefore, the Administration is committed to meaningfully pursuing it.
Meanwhile, Director of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin said that Geographical Indicators will help to increase Guyana’s exports. Mr. Gaskin pointed to the fact that with Guyana now entering the oil and gas industry, the country needs to make full use of the recognition and derive the benefits from the global market. He added that including Geographical Indications into the establishment of a National Quality Infrastructure at this time makes good sense. Further, he urged stakeholders to quickly grasp the understanding of GI and how this system can work to advance local products.
GI Workshop
Meanwhile, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Economist, Victor Gauto, in his remarks, stated that Geographical Indicators can help create a strong private sector that is key to building a resilient economy. The development of new markets and greater competitiveness can contribute to strengthening investment, employment and family income.
Mr. Bernard O’Connor, GI Consultant who completed a week of training with staff of the GNBS, in his presentation said “persons tend to pay more for exclusive brands and Guyana has a lot to offer in this regard with its unique community names.” According to Mr. O Connor, “The consumer in the European Union, in South America and in other Caribbean countries are willing to pay a little more for products which have Geographical Indication.” He further stated, “It’s that simple because they recognize that there is some form of a standard.”
During the workshop, presentation were also made by Harold Davis, Chief Executive Officer GUYSUCO and Mr. Shaun Caleb, Chief Production Officer of Demerara Distillers Limited as owners of the Demerara GI for Sugar, Molasses and Rum. They shared the experiences of their companies in maintaining and benefiting from GI Branding. Other presenters including the Honourable Carl Greenidge, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Nichole Prince, Registrar of Commerce, Ms. Ramrattie Karan, Deputy Executive Director GNBS and Ms. Ester Olivas, ACP-EU Consultant.
Geographical indications are distinctive signs used to differentiate competing goods. They are collectively owned with a strong inherent origin-base, namely the geographical origin to which they refer. The reference to geographical origin – most regularly for agricultural products – combined with the use of traditional extraction and processing methods, presents an interesting marketing potential in terms of product branding. The GNBS was identified as the Agency to monitor Geographical Indications in Guyana.
