Launched last month, the celebrations for the 45th anniversary of Italy-Vietnam diplomatic relations continue this month with a workshop on Geographical Indications in Italy and Vietnam, on Tuesday, 17th of April at the National Economics University (Room 1001, 10th Floor, Building A2, 207 Giai Phong, Dong Tam, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi). The title of the event is “GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS IN ITALY AND VIETNAM: COMPARING EXPERIENCES AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE“.
The event will unfold along the golden thread of sustainability that is going to connect all the activities planned this year to highlight the special friendship and the strategic partnership between our two Countries.
Geographical Indications are indeed a tremendous tool for protecting and adding value to quality goods, whose main features and production methods are inherited as part of the traditional way of life in a specific region. Therefore, GIs can significantly contribute to the sustainable development of the whole area of origin, strengthening producers’ businesses with additional income and new jobs and promoting the heritage of that region, with broader social and economic benefits.
The Italian Embassy to Vietnam, in cooperation with the National Institute of Intellectual Property, the National Economics University and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will bring together representatives of the institutions, researchers and entrepreneurs to discuss, in a holistic approach, the many aspects of this multifaceted theme.
The aim is to compare the best experiences, from Italy and Vietnam, and to share the knowledge acquired by some of the leading experts in the field.
The workshop will focus on three main topics: GIs’ promotional tools; role of science and technology in protecting the GIs; GIs contribution to enhancing local economies.
The first session, chaired by Prof. Claudio Dordi – Bocconi University in Milan – will focus on GIs systems in Italy and Vietnam and on the opportunities the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement will disclose in that field. An in depth analysis of the subject will be offered by Mr. Luu Duc Thanh, Director for Geographical Indications at NOIP, by Prof. Tran Van Nam, Dean of Law Department at NEU, by Ma Miriam Garcia Ferrer, Head of the Economic and Trade Section of the EU Delegation, and by Mr. Antonino Tedesco, Head of the Economic and Trade Section of the Italian Embassy.
The second panel, chaired by Dr. Mariano Anderle, Scientific Attaché at the Italian Embassy, will address the impact of Science and Technology on food quality and traceability, through presentations by Prof. Alessandra Guidi, from University of Pisa, Prof. Vu Nguyen Thanh, from Food Industries Research Institute, Hanoi, Prof. Nguyen Thi Minh Tu, from Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Finally, the third session chaired by Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Tam, Deputy Director for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Center at VCCI, will showcase some of the most successful stories in the Italian and Vietnamese GI landscapes. Mr. Luca Giavi, Director General of Prosecco DOC Consortium, Mr. Domenico Truglia, Official Chef in Asia for Parma Ham Consortium, Ms. Ho Kim Lien, President of Nuoc Mam Phu Quoc Association and Mr. Trinh Duc Minh, President of Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association, will tell how their associations were able to protect and promote their productions and their regions, and make them worldwide known brands.
At the end of the workshop it will be possible to get to know better and first hand the amazing results of the passionate work of such committed producers. Better than a thousand words, the tasting and display of Phu Quoc Fish Sauce, Buon Ma Thuot Coffee, Prosecco and Parma Ham will provide the public with the best evidence ever of what Geographical Indications are about: outstanding products, made by outstanding people!
