In the context of promoting the GI protection system in the Republic of Moldova and in order to identify local products that can be promoted through the use of geographical indications, on 7 October this year, in the village of Marinici, Nisporeni district, was held an information seminar dedicated to local producers - gooseberry cultivators. The seminar was attended by representatives of the Berry Producers Association “Bacifera”, State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The seminar was moderated by Mrs. Parascovia Sava, President of theBerry Producers Association “BACIFERA”, who highlighted the role of berry producers association, in particular, in order to promote their interests. Also, Mrs. Sava attracted producers’ attention on the need to consult specialists in this field to undertake measures of planting, cloning or treatment of cultivated crops.

State Agency on Intellectual Property was represented by Mrs. Natalia Mogol, Deputy Director of the Trademarks, Industrial Designs Department, who presented the report “Protection of Geographical Indications - New Opportunities for Promoting Local Products”. Mrs. Mogol mentioned the advantages of using geographical indications, appellations of origin and traditional specialties guaranteed, and the creation of groups of producers in order to promote local products. The participants were familiarized with the mechanisms of obtaining protection for indigenous geographical indications at national and international level. With reference to the protection of geographical indications in other countries, producers were made ​​acquainted with opportunities for domestic producers as a result of entry into force from 01.04.2013 of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on the Protection of Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs.

Mr.Iurie Usurelu, representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in the Republic of Moldova, informed the participants in the seminar about the organization’s basic mission - eradicating rural poverty in developing countries by providing loans and grants in favorable conditions, in order to develop agribusiness. Simultaneously, Mr. Usurelu presented to the participants the possibilities of funding and assistance that they could benefit from, especially in the case of association.

Finally, it was paid a field visit to one of the gooseberry producers in the village of Marinici, participant in the meeting.