Uzbekistan wants to increase products with geographical indications to develop tourism and national brands

Uzbekistan aims to develop tourism and promote national brands by increasing the number of products with geographical indications in the country.

Known for its historical and cultural assets, various handicrafts, and unique cuisine, Uzbekistan has recently increased efforts to register products with geographical indications.

Uzbek authorities aim to further develop gastronomy and cultural tourism in the country and promote national brands by increasing the number of products with geographical indications that reflect national values and cultural richness. Within this framework, the Geographical Indications Law was signed by President ShavkatMirziyoyev in February 2023.

After the law came into effect, the Ministry of Justice registered for the first time the Margilan atlas and Margilanadras silk fabrics, which have been produced for centuries in the city of Margilan in the Fergana Valley, and the Kokand knife as products with geographical indications.

In 2023, Zamin tandoor meat prepared in the Jizzakh region of the country and Gizhduvan kebab from the Bukhara region were also registered as products with geographical indications. In 2024, Guzar tandoor meat specific to the Kashkadarya region, Khorezm egg pastry, and the Chust knife and Chustdoppi (skullcap) from the Chust district in the Namangan region were designated as products with geographical indications.

More than 10 products have been registered in the country to date

This year, Sokak samsa (pastry) unique to the Sokak village near Tashkent and the Andijan doppi (skullcap) were within registered and included in the list of products with geographical indications. Additionally, Samarkand bread, Samarkand paper with a 1000-year history made from mulberry trees, and Samarkand chickpea soup from the Samarkand region were also registered with geographical indications.

Thus, as a result of the work carried out for the registration of products with geographical indications in the country over the last three years, more than 10 products have been identified in this context.

Various events are being organized to increase the number of products with geographical indications

According to the country's laws, after applying to the Ministry of Justice for the registration of products with geographical indications, a certificate regarding the registration of the product in question is issued within a month.

Various seminars and conferences are organized by the Intellectual Property Center under the Ministry of Justice to expand this product list and develop its platform.

In the country, fairs where these products are exhibited are also organized for the registration and promotion of products with geographical indications.

There are nearly 100 more products that can be registered with geographical indications in the country

According to information obtained from the Ministry of Justice, there are currently nearly 100 more products throughout the country that can be registered with geographical indications, and the process and work regarding their registration are ongoing.

Among those to be registered with geographical indications are numerous products such as the Bukhara carpet, Bahmal apple, Mirzachol melon, Parkent grape, Kokand cherry, Karakalpak karauyu (tent), Khorezm melon, Khorezm rice, Altyaryk radish, and Chinaz fish.

Dilmurad Aliyev, an official from the Tashkent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized in his statement that Uzbekistan stands out with its ancient historical and cultural assets, rich cuisine representing different regions, various products, and dazzling handicraft examples, noting that many of these are candidates to be registered as products with geographical indications.

Aliyev pointed out that the registration work of products with geographical indications belonging to different regions of the country is a new situation for the country, emphasizing that despite this, these efforts have rapidly increased recently, and the government provides ample support for these efforts.5

Dilmurad Aliyev said, "The development of the geographical indications products platform will contribute to the promotion of products from different regions, as well as the development of gastronomy and cultural tourism in Uzbekistan and an increase in the number of tourists."