Uzbekistan is actively advancing its tourism sector and promoting national brands by expanding the number of registered products protected under geographical indications. Known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, unique crafts, and distinctive cuisine, the country has recently intensified efforts to officially register such products, thereby safeguarding their authenticity and enhancing their global recognition.
The government is committed to developing gastronomic and cultural tourism, leveraging the registration of geographically protected names to elevate national brands. In February 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed legislation dedicated to products with geographical indications, marking a significant milestone in the country’s intellectual property landscape.
Following the enactment of this law, the Ministry of Justice registered, for the first time, several traditional items from the Fergana Valley, including Margilan atlas and adras—both iconic silk fabrics—and the Kokand knife, a symbol of local craftsmanship.
In 2023, the status of geographical indication was also granted to tandyr-cooked meat from Zamin in the Jizzakh region and kebabs from Gijduvan in Bukhara. The following year, 2024, saw the inclusion of tandyr meat from Guzar in Kashkadarya, Khorezm’s renowned egg pie, as well as the knife and tubeteika (traditional cap) from Chust in Namangan region.
Over the past three years, more than ten products have been officially registered under this designation, underscoring the momentum behind this initiative. This year alone, the list expanded with the addition of samsa from the village of Sokak near Tashkent and the Andijan tubeteika. Also registered were items steeped in millennia of history, such as Samarkand bread, nutava soup, and Samarkand mulberry paper, each reflecting the region’s deep-rooted cultural traditions.
According to the law, applications for registration are submitted to the Ministry of Justice, which issues certificates within a month. To promote the platform and broaden the range of registered products, the Intellectual Property Center under the Ministry of Justice organizes seminars, conferences, and fairs, facilitating knowledge sharing and public engagement.
Information provided to Anadolu’s correspondent by the Ministry of Justice reveals that currently, around 100 products across Uzbekistan are eligible for geographical indication registration, with the process actively underway. Among these are Bukhara carpets, apples from Bakhmal, melons from Mirzachul and Khorezm, grapes from Parkent, cherries from Kokand, rice and fish from Khorezm, radishes from Altyaryk, and many others.
Dilmuрад Aliyev, a representative of the Tashkent Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage, gastronomy, and craftsmanship as key assets with strong potential for registration as geographically indicated products.
Aliyev highlighted that while the registration of such products represents a new phase for the country, the pace of work has accelerated significantly thanks to robust government support.
“The development of the geographical indications platform will not only promote local products but also foster gastronomic and cultural tourism, ultimately leading to increased numbers of visitors,” Aliyev stated.
