The Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Labour and Consumer Affairs proudly partnered with the Grenada Chocolate Festival Committee in support of the opening ceremony of the 13th annual Grenada Chocolate Festival, held under the theme “From Roots to Renaissance.”
The opening ceremony brought together key stakeholders from the cocoa, chocolate, agriculture, tourism, and intellectual property sectors, including representatives of the Grenada Cocoa Association, the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association (GCNA), government ministries, international development partners, chocolatiers, cocoa farmers, and visiting experts.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Government, Sen. The Hon. Claudette Joseph highlighted Grenada’s internationally recognised reputation as a producer of fine-flavoured cocoa and underscored the critical role played by generations of Grenadian farmers in developing the unique characteristics and quality associated with Grenadian cocoa. The ceremony also served as an important platform to advance national discussions surrounding the establishment of Geographical Indications (GIs) for Grenada Cocoa and Grenada Nutmeg. Geographical Indications are a form of intellectual property protection used globally to safeguard products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to their place of origin.
CAIPO reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Grenada’s intellectual property framework through the ongoing development of a national GI Policy, supporting legislation, and technical specifications for Grenada Cocoa and Grenada Nutmeg. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with key national stakeholders, including the Grenada Cocoa Association, the GCNA, the Grenada Bureau of Standards, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Tourism. Registrar of Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Robert Branch noted that the GI initiative forms part of Government’s broader strategy to improve competitiveness, strengthen branding opportunities, and increase market value for Grenada’s origin-linked products.
The festival also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the future potential for a Geographical Indication for Grenada Chocolate, further supporting the development of value-added products within the cocoa and chocolate industry. CAIPO acknowledged the continued support of international partners, including the CarIPI Project and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), whose technical guidance has assisted Grenada in advancing its GI infrastructure and stakeholder engagement processes.
Mention was also made of the upcoming CarIP MentHERship Programme — “Women@Work With IP” — which aims to support women entrepreneurs and professionals within the chocolate sector and broader intellectual property ecosystem. As Grenada continues to build international recognition for its premium agricultural products, CAIPO remains committed to working alongside producers, industry partners, and development agencies to ensure that Grenadian products are protected, promoted, and positioned competitively on the global market.
CAIPO extends congratulations to the Grenada Chocolate Festival Committee, the Grenada Cocoa Association, the GCNA, Grenadian chocolatiers, and cocoa farmers for their continued contribution to preserving and elevating Grenada’s cocoa heritage.
CAIPO
