The 'Fethiye Rock Fig Geographical Indication Registration on the EU Road' project, prepared by Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FTSO) in order to have the geographically marked Fethiye Rock Fig registered in the European Union, was deemed successful by the South Aegean Development Agency (GEKA), and the 2022 Technical Assistance Program was included in the scope.
Fethiye Kaya Fig, which is identified with Kayaköy District, which hosts thousands of holidaymakers and tourists every year in Fethiye, received a geographical indication registration certificate from the Turkish Patent Trademark and Institution in 2020 with the application made by the FTSO. FTSO, which also took action for the dissemination of Fethiye Rock Fig, has produced 3 fig saplings for the past 3500 years and distributed them to the producers in Fethiye and Seydikemer. In addition, Fethiye Rock Fig Garden was created in Kayaköy Neighborhood by Fethiye Municipality for the saplings produced.
FTSO, which wants to make the Fethiye Rock Fig, which has become increasingly popular in Fethiye and known in Turkey, also in Europe, joined the GEKA 2022 Technical Assistance Program in order to apply for registration with the European Union. The 'Fethiye Rock Fig Geographical Indication Registration on the Way to EU' project prepared by FTSO was deemed successful by GEKA and included in the scope of technical support.
The technical support received includes technical consultancy services on the necessary procedures for the registration of the geographically marked Fethiye Rock Fig in the European Union (EU). The service is intended to set an example for the registration of institutionally geographically marked or potentially geographically indicated products in the European Union and to be a reference for further studies. Among the project participants are Fethiye and Seydikemer District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, Fethiye and Seydikemer Chambers of Agriculture and Aydın Fig Research Institute.
“We want to go to the next level with EU registration”
The project proposal contract was signed by FTSO Chairman of the Board Osman Çıralı, FTSO Secretary General Ezgi Kullukçu and GEKA Secretary General Özgür Akdoğan, and the support process was initiated. Giving information on the subject, FTSO Chairman Osman Çıralı stated that the added value brought by the geographical indications is very important for Fethiye and Seydikemer, and said that they want to take the EU registration for Fethiye Rock Fig and move to the next stage. Chairman Çıralı said, “We are pleased with the geographical indication works of our chamber and therefore the value it adds to the regional economy. We receive positive feedback on this subject every day. We are involved in projects related to geographical indications, both by institutes and institutions. One of them is the technical support we received from GEKA. With this project, we want to include Fethiye Rock Fig among the few geographically marked products registered in the EU. The process is difficult and long, but our work will always continue. We will be involved in production, promotion, projects and all kinds of development activities specific to the region, especially for geographically indicated products.” he said.