ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Businessmen have proposed amendments in the draft Geographical Indication (GI) law to provide adequate protection to Pakistani goods in other countries.

Officials told Dawn on Tuesday that the GI is one of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) which WTO members, including Pakistan, needed to protect under article 22-24 of the TRIPs agreement.

"Therefore, unless Pakistan provides GI protection to its goods by its law, Islamabad could not obtain GI protection for our goods in other countries that have the GI law," added the officials.

The separate law would make Pakistan capable of filing such applications in other countries to protect its various GI in those countries while meeting the WTO/TRIPs as well.

Through the GI law, Pakistan could get benefit from GI protection for its basmati rice, Kasuri methi, Sargodha kinoo and chaunsa mango, besides other varieties such as wild mushrooms of Swat, Neeli Ravi buffalo, Chaman grapes. This list could be expanded in consultation with trade bodies and groups across the country.

The ministry of commerce has already constituted a committee of experts for negotiating the GI law, which is expected to be finalized by end of the current month. The first meeting of the committee will be held in Lahore on Wednesday to discuss the initial proposals in this regards.

Consortium of Basmati Rice Exporters President Zahid W. Khawaja, who is also member of the committee, told Dawn that the GI draft act should be finalized following seeking complete feedback from all stakeholders.

He proposed creation of a tentative list of all GI goods that might exist in Pakistan and those which might need and qualify for the GI protection. "Simultaneously, while we made progress on other issues of GI, we should get the law approved by the National Assembly, the Senate and the president.

Mr Khawaja also proposed setting up of a GI registry at Lahore or Karachi and appointment of an officer of the government as registrar, besides sub-registrars and assistant registrars as necessary for its prime office and sub-offices at various locales within the country.

He proposed making of an informative brochure on GIs for circulation amongst all trade bodies under the FPCCI as well as know groups that might have the need for obtaining the GI protection for their goods, whether under the FPCCI or not. In addition, suitable awareness might be required through media.

Under a commitment with the European Union Pakistan would declare basmati a GI and share this GI with India. The deadline for this is the end of the transitional period, that is, June 30, 2005.

It is important that groups that trade in GI products are actively encouraged to be independent and focussed trade bodies rather than being part of generalized trade bodies.

This is essential to obtain maximum benefits form the GI movement related to their goods. This could lead to better enforcement of the GI in actual trade, both import and export of GI protected goods.