Sri Lanka moves to protect Ceylon tea brand

Apr 27, 2011 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's commerce and industry ministry has allocated funds to register 'Ceylon tea' under the global geographical indicators (GI) trade regime that will better protect the island's best known brand.





Registration under the GI will prevent abuse of the Ceylon tea brand, government officials have said.

The commerce and industry ministry has committed 8.

5 million rupees for 2011 for the Geographical Indicator registration that gives 'Ceylon Tea protection as a brand in twenty countries, a statement said.

The ministry will provide another 8.5 million rupees for 2012 for brand protection in another 20 countries.

This initiative will make Ceylon Tea and the tea industry itself stronger in moving towards the 2.5 billion dollar export earnings target, Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce said.

A laboratory to test the cleanliness of Ceylon tea is also being set up under a project between the ministry and the Sri Lanka Tea Board with an investment of 18 million rupees.