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19 February 2007
Addis Ababa, February 19, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Starbucks agreed not to oppose Ethiopia’s efforts to obtain trademarks for specialty coffees of Sidamo, Harar and Yirgachefe, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office said.
EIPO Director General, Getachew Mengistie told Ethiopian News Agency on Monday that the company has decided to unveil same day Monday the agreement it reached with the government of Ethiopia in Seattle, USA, where it is based, and Addis Ababa.
According to the agreement the company would provide recognition for shared interests and responsibility to the growth of the Ethiopian coffee sector, he said.
The director said both the government and the company agreed that the partnerships between and among the government, coffee companies, donors and other stakeholders are critical to the growth of the sector.
The government and Starbucks have agreed to work together in their shared vision to increase Ethiopian farmers' incomes and enhance the sustainable production of the coffee, Getachew said.
The director said, both parties recognize that there may be differences in approach to achieving this shared vision.
Starbucks will not oppose Ethiopia's efforts to obtain trademarks for its specialty coffees-Sidamo - Harar and Yirgacheffe- and its efforts to create a network of licensed distributors, Getachew said.
Starbucks has agreed to double its purchases from East Africa and will increase its purchase from Ethiopia, he said, adding Starbucks is also bound by this agreement also to provide technical support and capacity building to Ethiopian farmers through a Farmer Support Center that it will open in East Africa.
Starbucks will also expand its micro-credit facilities in East Africa to help farmers invest in their farms.
Both the government of Ethiopia and Starbucks will continue to strengthen their partnership and engage in consultations on strategies to improve the lives of Ethiopian coffee farmers and their families, he said.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency