MALAWI ON WTO AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000905 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AGRICULTURE STATE FOR AF/S MELINDA TABLER-STONE STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT/ATP J SHANNON STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE S WILSON STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR, USPTO AND USDA USTR FOR D MULLANEY USPTO FOR D LASHLEY-JOHNSON USDA FOR J HURST E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIPR EAGR ETRD SUBJECT: MALAWI ON WTO AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS REF: SECSTATE 177074 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy delivered reftel points to trade ministry principal secretary Newby Kumwembe on 3 October, with follow up on 11 October. As is usual in Malawi's multilateral trade discussions, Kumwembwe anticipated that Malawi would follow the consensus of least-developed countries in the WTO negotiations. Kumwembe indicated that he agreed somewhat with the USG position, but that geographical indications (GIs) appear to be relevant to categories of goods beyond the purview of intellectual property. Given Malawi's general sensitivity to European concerns in its approach to trade policy, Embassy believes Malawi will be sympathetic to the EU position. ¶2. (U) EconOff has discussed the GI issue with several exporters who could conceivably influence the GOM's position. The USG argument that GIs are best dealt with in the context of intellectual property discussions receives a sympathetic hearing in Malawi, but there is a sense that local agricultural products may somehow come out ahead under the EU scheme. (Note: Malawi hopes to brand its tea and Mzuzu coffee, possibly even its sugar, at some point in the future. End note.) Embassy has not received the video mentioned in reftel (and requested by post) and has not been able to organize meetings around the video. EASTHAM