Geographical indications and sustainable development of handicraft communities in developing countries

This study investigates the potential benefits of geographical indications (GIs) for the sustainable development of handicraft communities in developing countries. The current research also explored the challenges faced by developing countries regarding GI legislation and suggested relevant policies to address the identified problems for the sustainable development of the handicraft communities. This study is exploratory and based on a thorough review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, including policy documents. Secondary data regarding Handicraft GIs worldwide were utilized to provide empirical evidence of GI legislation's importance for developing countries. This study argues that protected GIs potential benefits include not only social and economic but also cultural and environmental, which previous studies have not explored deeply. Arguably, in the case of handicrafts, besides economic benefits (such as value addition, price premium, quality assurance, increase in sales, and profit), GIs also help in the development of local communities through generating employment opportunities, improving living condition, poverty alleviation, and social cohesion (social benefits). GIs also play a crucial role in promoting, elevating, reinforcing, and preserving cultural traditions (cultural benefit). Finally, GIs also help in biodiversity and sustainable use of raw materials (environmental benefit). This study also underlined key challenges regarding GI legislation in developing countries.