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Thailand's seaside province of Phetchaburi has registered the Geographical Indications (GI) of its famed-rose-apple in a bid to promote and protect the local fruit, said the provincial governor on Thursday.

Phetchaburi governor Chai Panichpornpan said that the GI registration will help promote the province's rose-apple, well-known as Chomphu Phet Sairung as a world-class fruit.

The GI designation, introduced by the European Union, is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin.

The system is aimed at encouraging a diversity of agricultural produce, protecting product names from misuse and imitation, harmonising concepts at the level of the European Union, and helping consumers by giving them information on the specific character of particular products.

The governor said purchase orders for the Chomphu Phet Sairung have increased after the fruit was introduced to regional leaders and media who attended the 14th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district.

"To show that the Chomphu Phet Sairung belongs to local people here,” Mr Chai said, “we have registered the geographical patent of the fruit."

The governor added that local fruit growers will receive financial support and marketing promotion, while agricultural extension services will provide them good and safe production techniques to give a better produce as required by consumers and markets. (TNA)

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