Khaberni - The Sultanate of Oman announced today, Monday, the international registration of Omani frankincense as a geographical indicator at the World Intellectual Property Organization, in a step that enhances product protection and cements its standing in the global markets.
The Director-General for Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of Oman, Nasra Al Habsi, confirmed that this registration is the first of its kind at the level of the Gulf states.
She added that this comes as a culmination of institutional efforts aimed at protecting Omani frankincense and enhancing its marketing value by linking it with its geographical origin and characteristics associated with the natural environment and cultural heritage, according to the Oman News Agency.
Al Habsi explained that this step is based on the Sultanate's accession to the Geneva Document of the Lisbon Agreement, which provides an international framework for the protection of geographically specific products beyond national borders.
Meanwhile, the Director of the National Office for Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, Khaled Al Hinaai, pointed out that the registration grants Omani frankincense international legal recognition, enhances consumer confidence, boosts the competitiveness of related products, in addition to enabling Omani companies to benefit from its global reputation.
He noted that this step represents a transformation in the management of national intangible assets, as the geographical indicator supports economic sustainability and encourages sound production practices, which preserve the natural resource for future generations.
The registration opens broader prospects for Omani frankincense to enter multiple sectors, including the fragrance industries, health products, and cosmetics, in addition to supporting its export to global markets.
Omani frankincense is one of the most prominent products linked to the civilizational identity of the Sultanate, historically associated with the Frankincense Route and the trade and cultural exchange in the region for centuries, which enhances its economic and cultural value alike.
