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Cashew exporters urged to develop trademarks
Viet Nam is now the world's second leading cashew exporter after India, with the cashew industry targeting US$1 billion from exports this year. To ensure sustainable development and enhance their standing in international markets, the nation's cashew processors are being urged to develop trademarks for their products. Vietnam News Agency spoke to the deputy head of the National Office of Intellectual Property, Ta Quang Minh, on the issue.
What sort of progress have cashew processors made in trademark registration?
Domestic businesses have paid inadequate attention to trademark protection and registration. That's seen as the foundation to develop trademarks. Some of them become fully aware of the importance of protecting their trademarks only after they are stolen by other firms.
Cashew enterprises are no exception. Our latest statistics reveal that only 145 cashew products have registered trademarks, and in southern Binh Phuoc Province, the country's leading cashew-growing area, only four cashew producers and processors have registered their trademarks.
What's the problem?
This is compounded by a poor awareness of trademark protection and registration among a significant number of businesses as they don't have sufficient information on the role and impact of trademark protection or they get used to doing business without registering any trademarks. Changing their awareness, however, can't be done overnight.
Furthermore, most domestic cashew processors and wholesalers export raw or semi-processed cashews. The need for trademark registration becomes urgent only if the firms ship finished products to domestic and international markets.
What can we do to improve the situation?
Trademark registration and development must be a top priority in the context of global integration. But no one can force them to do it. State administrative agencies, including the National Office of Intellectual Property, can only offer assistance.
We will join hands with relevant departments to disseminate information on the importance of trademark protection among domestic cashew enterprises and localities. More TV shows and training courses will be developed.
Currently, we are offering some localities financial support to develop some key products. In addition, we are willing to support businesses in building, developing and protecting their trademarks.
With this assistance, we hope that domestic processors and distributors will be successful in building their trademarks and achieving higher international recognition.
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