Support from Our Institute for Geographical Indication Studies in the Gulf Region

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, a training program titled “The Global Value and Implementation Processes of Geographical Indications” was held at the Adrina Hotel Meeting Hall with the aim of strengthening the brand value of local olive products in the Edremit Gulf Region of Balıkesir Province at national and international levels. During the program, experts in the field shared comprehensive information on the geographical indication (GI) system. The training, organized by the Edremit Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness among producers and brand owners about geographical indications—a cornerstone of regional development—covered various topics related to GI applications. The Director of our Institute, Dr. Tuba Öncül Abacıgil, informed the producers with a presentation on the production model based on the technical specifications for Edremit Olive Oil and Edremit Gulf Green Scratched Olives. Following the training, a plaque of appreciation was presented to our Institute Director by Mr. Ahmet Çetin, Chairman of the Board of the Edremit Chamber of Commerce.

Furthermore, on May 9, 2025, our Institute Director, Dr. Tuba Öncül Abacıgil, attended the launch meeting of the “Developing Branding and Commercialization Strategies for Geographical Indications Project” at the Adrina Thermal Hotel. This event was hosted by the Edremit Chamber of Commerce and was carried out in cooperation with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (Türk Patent) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The meeting saw the participation of the Governor of Balıkesir, Mr. İsmail Ustaoğlu; the District Governor of Edremit, Mr. Ahmet Odabaş; the Mayor of Edremit, Mr. Mehmet Ertaş; the Mayor of Havran, Mr. Emin Ersoy; the President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Durak; WIPO representatives; public institution and organization managers; producer associations; cooperative representatives; and individual producers. Following the meeting, Dr. Abacıgil participated in the Geographical Indication Governance Mechanism Workshop, where she provided contributions regarding the necessary steps to be taken for the branding and increasing the economic value of geographically indicated products.