The Armenian government plans to register the products with the national geographical indication. Minister of economy Vahan Kerobyan stated about this during Monday’s parliamentary debates on the bill on amendments to the Law on Geographical Indications.

The minister recalled that products with geographical indication are sold all over the world at a premium, which shall guarantee products made according to the ancient traditions of a specific city, village or region—but taking into account modern quality standards.

Currently, only one product with a national geographical indication is registered in Armenia—the Sevan trout. But other product manufacturers which are known in a specific region do not do this.

"First of all, they are poorly informed about what procedures they need to go through. Second, they do not form joint applications for registration. And that is why it is desirable for the government to be able to demonstrate the initiative," said Kerobyan.

Names indicating the Armenian origin of a product can also be registered without specifying its country or region.

The minister of economy urged to register the Armenian geographical indications in accordance with the international standards. In that case, according to him, mutual recognition of the above-mentioned indications will be possible with other countries.

Technical matters should also be resolved, as there are currently no clear requirements in Armenia for certification of products with geographical indication.

"The [aforesaid] bill aims to resolve these difficulties and make it easier for businesses to register these products," Kerobyan emphasized.