Cooperation: Italian diplomatic-consular ;missions in 13 countries

 As part of the second week of Italian Cuisine in the World, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is promoting a series of events between 20 November 2017 and early 2018 at Italian diplomatic-consular missions in 13 countries. The aim is to help protect and advertise Italian products of excellence protected by geographic indication labelling in foreign markets.  These products are a vital component of the country’s economy, and the fruitful relationship between tradition and innovation that characterises them will be highlighted.

The events should also boost trade relations abroad and express the cultural heritage of Italy, provide an opportunity to introduce the world to the Italian geographic indication production model, and promote the protection of these products from imitations or "Italian sounding" products.  By showing the economic, social and cultural advantages that the international protection and registration system affords to countries, producers and consumers that use it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hopes to encourage broader use of the international instruments used by the system. It hopes that an increasing number of partners will find that the model can meet their requirements and be consistent with sustainable development principles.