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Study visit to support the registration at EU level of GIs for “Kilichi du Niger”

22 May 2023
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A delegation from the Niger Association for the Promotion of Kilichi (ANIPROK) and public authorities from Niger took part in a 3 day study visit to Switzerland from 15 to 18 May 2023.

The visit was organised by AfrIPI in collaboration with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), the Swiss Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Association, for the benefit of the Groupement Représentatif de l’Indication Géographique Protégée Kilichi du Niger. The Director General of the Structure Nationale de Liaison, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and members of the National Geographical Indication Committee in Niger also attended the event.

The study visit was a rich exchange of information, experiences, skills and international best practices. It aimed at enabling the producers of Kilichi from Niger to:

  • acquire knowledge needed to support their positioning strategy on international markets, especially regarding traceability, control and certification.

  • visit certified dried meat companies and production sites in Valais, Switzerland,

  • prepare for the registration of Kilichi from Niger as a PGI at European Union level.

Participants had the opportunity to interact with the Federal Office for Agriculture on PDO/PGI legislation, the Cantonal consumer service on market control in the State of Valais, the Organisme Intercantonal de Certification and the Swiss PDO-PGI Association. In addition to this, they visited some well-known butcher shops, sales points and landmarks in Sion such as La Maison du Paysan, the Valais School of Agriculture, Château de Villa, Cher-Mignon SA, Boucherie Crettaz Steve, L'Affineur Alpin and Del Genio Artisans-Bouchers. They also paid a courtesy visit to the Niger Delegation to WIPO, and the Director of WIPO’s Lisbon Department in Geneva.

The visit ended with discussions on lessons learned, interviews by the visiting team and an exchange of gifts.

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