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• Grenada Nutmeg
– The Grenada
Cooperative Nutmeg Association
(GCNA) is currently active,
however the capacity needs to be
strengthened before moving
forward in the registering of
the GI or collective mark. The
GCNA also recommended that the
other sectors with potential
in Grenada, such as cocoa, required
further development.
•
Jamaica
Jerk
– An application for
the GI in Jamaica was made to the
Jamaica IP Office in April
2014, however the IP office has not
yet made its decision. The Jamaica
Jerk Association is an active
organisation, which started
the process around 2008, indicating
that it is a long, arduous process.
A legal and regulatory framework
has been established in the
country, including a GI Act and
Regulations, A Jamaica Jerk Code
of Practice and Control Manual,
Articles of Incorporation, and a GI
Mark Administration. The members
of the Association indicated that a
study tour to Switzerland was
helpful in the process. The
Jamaican Jerk Association would be
a good case study for other
associations in the region.
•
Trinidad Cocoa
– The intention of
the Trinidad Cocoa Association is to
capture the value within the region
and they are seemingly prepared to
work with the sectors in other
countries. Currently the majority of
Trinidadian cocoa is being exported
to Europe however they are currently in the process of developing a
chocolate factory in order to develop their own product for export to the
regional market. The association is currently requesting best practices or a
model for Europe from which they can follow and study.
The workshop in Trinidad and Tobago, organised in collaboration with the
Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum, Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural
Cooperation (CTA), and the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative, sought
to build the capacity of cooperatives and farmers associations using WIPO-
developed training materials on the use of IP tools for the identification,
promotion and protections of GIs and OLPs. The sessions also provided training
on the codes of practice and the setting-up of regulatory bodies, this is a part
of a broader cooperation WIPO has been undertaking in the Caribbean region,
with a view to building the capacity within the sectors with GI/OLP potential.
The target audience for this workshop were representatives from farmers,
agricultural associations and cooperatives, and other stakeholders involved in
the value chains concerned. As an outcome to the workshop, Caribbean products
identified by commissioned studies as having strong GI potential continue the
process of development in this area.
In July 2015, Caribbean Export facilitated the delivery of a workshop on the
Development of Management Strategies for Origin Linked Products (OLPs)
as Support to National Competitiveness in the Dominican Republic sought to
increase the understanding and utilisation of intellectual property (IP) rights
as a trade development tool by governments and private sector, as well as
build the capacity of CARIFORUM producers to identify and develop OLPs. The
key outcome of the workshop would be to have producers register relevant
geographical indications, with the ultimate impact of enabling their products to
be more competitive on the global market and increase exports.
Caribbean Export hosted two Sub-Regional Intellectual Property Workshops
for CARIFORUM firms. The first workshop on Geographical Indications (GIs),
Origin Linked Products (OLPs) and Branding was hosted in Barbados from March
18-20, 2015. Delivered in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), CARICOM Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN), and Inter-
American Development Bank (IDB), the three-day session saw participation from
33 persons. The participants also benefitted froma field trip to the RumRefinery in
Barbados with the aim of exploring product specifications and systems necessary
for identifying potentials; reviewing the supply chain; assessing the stakeholders;
and examining challenges and opportunities. Overall, respondents found that
the workshop met their expectations, with the majority citing that the initiative
provided them with the opportunity to develop and draft specifications for GIs,
understand the value of IP for business strategy development and recognise the
significance of the supply value chain, among others.
PROMOTING TRADE
AND EXPORT DEVELOPMENT