To increase exports, GI goods must be marketed as luxury offers on a global scale, according to experts

Experts suggest that in order to increase exports of goods with significant potential in various nations, such as rice, Nagpur oranges, and Kala namak, the government should position these GI (geographical indications) products as premium offers on the international market.

They said that the absence of effective marketing and widespread brand awareness is a major drawback of Indian GI products in comparison to comparable foreign items.

According to Ajay Srivasatava, the founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), many Indian GI items are not as well-known outside despite their distinctive quality and cultural relevance.

According to him, this is because of poor branding, insufficient marketing initiatives, and restricted access to international markets.

Furthermore, problems with reliable quality control and effective GI tag management may make it more difficult for Indian GI goods to successfully compete internationally.

“Strengthening these areas could significantly enhance the global presence and market value of Indian GI products,” added Srivastava.

According to Great Mission Group Society (GMGS), a non-governmental organization that deals with these commodities, hundreds of Indian products qualify as GIs since they support local people and protect the country’s cultural heritage.

Ganesh Hingmire, the founder and chairman of GMGS, said that the organization has applied for GI tags for up to 89 items so far, 61 of which have been published or classified.

“In addition to the country’s increasing exports, I would like to suggest the government take steps to fast-track the process of granting GI tags to Indian goods,” he said, adding that this would help increase the income of communities who are producing those items because they have a lot of potential in foreign markets.

Promotional efforts, participation in international fairs, quality development initiatives, legal protection, and the investigation of e-commerce platforms to increase market access are some of the current measures in place to support GIs.

GI manufacturers get financial and technical help for marketing and capacity growth, creating an environment that is favorable for these products.

According to Srivastava, exports of these goods could be increased by taking measures like enforcing stringent quality control and setting up traceability systems to comply with international standards; creating brand identities and focused marketing strategies for particular markets; utilizing online marketplaces for increased accessibility; and promoting collaborations between governmental and industry bodies.

Any individual or business that receives this tag cannot offer a comparable product under that name. This tag is good for ten years, after which it may be renewed.

Additional advantages of GI registration include export promotion, legal protection for that object, and defense against unauthorized usage by third parties.

A geographically defined geographic indication (GI) is essentially any manufactured, natural, or agricultural product (including industrial and handicraft commodities).

Such a name usually carries a guarantee of excellence and uniqueness, which is mostly related to its location of origin.

The registration of geographical indicator goods follows a set of procedures that include making an application, being subject to preliminary inspection and examination, publishing a notice of cause in the geographical indications journal, receiving objection to registration, and finally being registered.

Any group of individuals, manufacturers, organizations, or authorities created by or under legal authority may submit an application. The petitioner is required to speak for the producers’ interests.

The GI bearer has the legal authority to forbid others from using their name.

Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea, Chanderi fabric, Mysore silk, Kullu Shawl, Kangra tea, Thanjavur paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad prints, Lucknow Zardozi, and Kashmir walnut wood carving are among the well-known products that bear this label.

GI is protected as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. The WTO’s Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) accord has also addressed them.

September 15, 2003, marks the effective date of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act 1999 in India.

Less than 500 things have been conferred this status in India, compared to over 9,000 items in China and over 3,000 in Moldova.