The European Union (EU) presented the Geographical Indication (GI) certification to Ceylon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka’s first GI-certified product at a ceremony between the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) recently.
The GI application was made by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and supported by the EU under the EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance Project and through technical assistance from UNIDO and the International Trade Centre (ITC). This, together with support from other private and public stakeholders, has been instrumental in achieving Sri Lanka’s first GI certification
EU Ambassador Denis Chaibi said, “GI is not only about linking a product to a place; it is about recognising the skill and achievement of the people who produce it. In the case of Ceylon Cinnamon it is an endorsement of quality and an acknowledgement of the long tradition and rich history behind the production of this internationally renowned spice.
An enhanced competitive position for Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU market will increase exports for Sri Lanka, and bring higher income and more employment across the cinnamon value chain. I am happy that EU’s trade assistance has supported Sri Lanka’s efforts to obtain its first ever GI certification.”
Sri Lanka enjoys a fruitful trading relationship with the EU. The EU is Sri Lanka’s second largest export market and is a beneficiary of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+), which provides tariff reduction on various products, and has given a big boost to the island’s exporters.
The European Union launched the ‘EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance’ project in 2015 to increase trade and competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs in regional and EU markets. This eight million Euro project, implemented by ITC and UNIDO provided technical assistance to the National Quality Infrastructure, and the Food, Beverages, Spices and Concentrates sectors.