Promoting local products

“Chechar honey” and “Babar carpets” training workshop

The process of protecting “Chechar honey” and “Babar carpet” (Khenchela Province) is moving forward following the registration of distinctive signs (collective trademarks) for the two products. To ensure that producers are well prepared for the management and efficient use of the distinctive signs, the WIPO External Office held training workshops on August 1 and 21 for members of the Chechar honey common interest group and the Bab n-w-ar Babar carpets coordinating organization.

Training objectives

The training sessions, led by WIPO consultant Samir Messaili, were designed to familiarize participants with the processes and conditions involved in managing collective trademarks and geographical indications.  A total of 17 members, including 10 from the Chechar honey common interest group and 7 from the Bab n-w-ar Babar carpets coordinating organization, took part in the sessions.

Workshop content

The workshops covered a number of key topics, such as the importance of creating a viable business model, marketing strategies tailored to local products protected by IP tools, and regulatory and organizational aspects. As a result, participants gained a better understanding of the requirements and advantages of these IP tools, and could examine the opportunities offered by the domestic market.

Participants were also encouraged to share their experiences and discuss their concerns. This valuable opportunity to exchange ideas provided answers to a number of questions, thereby helping to ensure the projects’ success.

Launch of the marketing phase

The next phase in the implementation of the two projects will involve the launch, in the coming weeks, of a marketing plan for the two collective trademarks. The plan, which is currently in development, aims to provide the necessary support for the two trademarks in preparation for their launch on the market, by striving to meet the expectations of potential customers and ensuring an effective promotional campaign.

Conclusion

The “Chechar honey” and “Babar carpets” collective trademarks illustrate the shared commitment of WIPO and the partners in these two projects, in particular the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) and the Khenchela Province, to help local producers derive greater benefit from these products and their hard work. The trademarks will identify the origin of the products, and help to make them more well known and build their reputation among customers. This will boost their competitiveness, and their contribution to local development.