Doi Chang wins GI award

Doi Chang, a local coffee brand from the North of Thailand, won an geographical indications (GI) award from "One Village One Brand" competition in September in Korea, hosted by APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group (Apec-Ipec).

While a bamboo product from China won the crown, the first runner-up was grape-based juice from Chile and the second runners-up are Doi Chang and Mexico’s papaya. Apec is committed to provide assistance on brand building for the winner and the first runner-up.

The competition was designed to promote local products of 21 Apec economies.

"Doi Chang was not the winner as the referees considered that its brand awareness is relatively strong and may not need as much support as the products from China and Chile. Though, this reflects Thailand’s readiness to promote our local products and GI products and our ability to further promote them. This award should encourage the locals to improve their product quality, for international recognition," said Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart.

Geographical indications of products are being promoted, as a way to promote the rural poor and their tradition as well as sustainable rural development.