Regional Development through the Lens of Geographical Indications in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Regional development is directly linked to the historical evolution of communities and the occupation of their territories, as well as the current state of the occupied or explored spaces, and their economic dynamics. In this sense, knowing that discussions on regional development are crucial, one should note that geographical indications (GIs) can contribute to its achievement. Therefore, this paper aims at investigating the relations between geographical indications and the regional development of Brazil’s Northeast, seeking to understand if there has been any relevant development in the region since the granting of GIs. By adopting a qualitative and quantitative approach, including bibliographic study, documentary analysis, and data survey through questionnaires applied to representatives of the 16 current geographical indications in the Northeast, we observed that there was, in fact, regional development after the certification of these GIs, especially concerning the valorization of manufacturers, products, and locations. However, it was also evident that there is a need for restructuring, mainly of the GIs that are not using the stamp. It is of the utmost importance to establish a partnership between public and private institutions, associations, and manufacturers to strengthen and integrate the actors of different production chains, generating a kind of development guided by the balance between economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits.