Sarada de Silva visits WTO-STDF, WIPO, ITC in Geneva and UNIDO in Vienna

Sarada De Silva, Chairman, Ceylon Cinnamon Geographical Indication Association and Cinnamon Training Academy, met with World Trade Organisation (WTO) – Standard Development and Trade Facilitation (STDF) Chief Melvin Spreij, other officials Angelica Cottica and Pablo Jenkins along with Premathilake Jayakody and Chandima of the Sri Lanka permanent mission to WTO in Geneva.

A discussion was held on key areas, the new Project Proposal Grant (PPG) to be finalised, Geographical Indications (GI) for a series of Sri Lankan products and the Cinnamon Training Academy. The new PPG is to be finalised along with UNIDO and submitted by 18 February 2022.

The visit was also to see if a template could be developed for Sri Lankan products seeking to obtain GIs, the progress of Cinnamon Training Academy (PPP) and the new activities undertaken in the Training and Bought Tree Factory that is now operating and clarify points for the PPP case story. Assistance in key areas in standards, SPS measures and trade facilitation were discussed at length.

The fruitful discussions and exchange of ideas was beneficial in understanding the requirements of Sri Lanka and what is possible from STDF. This was facilitated and assisted by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador WTO in Geneva Gothami Silva.

At the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) he met with Director Alexandra Grazioli and David Simmons along with First Secretary of Sri Lanka Mission Rajmi Manatunga.

Discussions were held on Geographical Indication issues for Sri Lankan products. Also to seek assistance for Sri Lanka through the Director General of NIPO Sri Lanka for training and to see if a temp plate can be developed for Sri Lankan products seeking to obtain GIs. 

The fruitful discussions and exchange of ideas will be beneficial in understanding the requirements of Sri Lanka and what is possible from WIPO. This was facilitated and assisted by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva C.A.C.A. Chandraprema.

At the International Trade Centre (ITC) De Silva met with Programme Adviser Aman Goel and TIP Leader and Trade Strategy Adviser Charles Roberge, Cochin Senior Trade Promotion Officer Asia Sylvie Bétemps and Eleonora Salluzzi.

A wide range of issues was discussed with regard to international trade, Sri Lanka’s exports and difficulties faced due the current COVID-19 pandemic situation and possible interventions and assistance. In addition to the current projects in Sri Lanka the need to look at new areas for assistance was stressed.

In Vienna de Silva met with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Division Chiefs Steffen Kaeser and Ali Bardaneh, Program Manager JP Diaz Castillo and IDE Associates Gabor Molnor and April Chang.

Wide ranging areas of interest to Sri Lanka were discussed, especially the upcoming EU-funded program, the new STDF-PPG, and development of a template for Sri Lankan products seeking to obtain GIs. Assistance in key areas in standards, SPS measures and industrial development were discussed at length.

Discussions were held on developing an international spice based food research centre, library and museum at the Cinnamon Training Academy with assistance from Organisation Petroleum Industrial Development (OPID), the development funding arm of OPEC. A joint proposal will be developed with UNIDO and CTA, to be submitted to OPID.

He also took part in the 2021 Forum Origins, Diversity and Territories under the theme ‘Disruption and rebound of territorialised food systems’ from 13-15 in Valposchiavo-Poschiavo, Canton go Grisons. This was held over three days physically and virtually amongst registered participants and invitees.

The event had a series of workshops and discussions on Geographical Indication, bio regional products and organic production. This too was a personal initiative of Sarada De Silva, who has been doing it for many years at his personal cost.