Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurates India’s first Geographical Indication Store at Goa International Airport in Dabolim. The store is located on the first floor on Departure Terminal, and jointly set up by Airports Authority of India and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister informed that currently there are 270 GI registered products in the country and the store will be a boon for the global tourists. The Minister also told that products from the self-help groups, artisans and farmers’ produce will be also displayed on the airport at a concessional rate.

Tidbits:

• A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country).
• The use of a geographical indication, as a type of indication of source, may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin.
• India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003.
• The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.
• In 2004-05, Darjeeling tea became the first GI tagged product in India and since then by July 2012, 178 had been added to the list.