Vietnamese coffee producer Boun Ma Thout applied for registration of
geographical identification in Thailand, paving the way for local expansion as
coffee consumption in Thailand rises.
Pajchima Tanasanti,
director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said Boun Ma Thout
Coffee Growers Association from the capital of Dak Lak province in Vietnam
sought the registration through the law firm Tilleke & Gibbins Co.
It is the first product from
Asean to seek intellectual property protection in Thailand. The department will
carefully examine the information and send officials to inspect the cultivation
areas in Vietnam under the agreement signed earlier by Asean members.
Vietnam is a major exporter of
robusta coffee, so this move may signal the association's plan to penetrate the
Thai market as more consumers here increasingly appreciate the coffee.
Coffee grown from this area has
unique properties with a smooth bitter taste and a 2.0-2.2% caffeine volume,
due to its geography situated at 400-800 metres above sea level.
Thailand has applied for GI
registration in the EU for Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai (fragrant rice grown in
Thung Kula Ronghai, which spans six northeastern provinces), and Doi Chang and
Doi Tung coffee. Ms Pajchima said EU officials will visit Thailand later this
month to inspect the cultivation areas.
In other news, the new act on
cinema recording that will outlaw recording of movies in cinemas is being
reviewed by the Council of State and will likely be sent back for cabinet
approval this month, she said.
If the legislation is passed by
parliament in November and implemented immediately, it could have a positive
effect on Thailand's status on the priority watch list (PWL) in January under
Section 301 of the US Trade Act.
The US private sector indicated
they will support the removal of Thailand from the PWL if this law has been
enacted.
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