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