01.04.2026 Aydın Commodity Exchange Hosts Closing Meeting of the “Developing Branding and Commercialization Strategies for Geographical Indications Project"

The closing meeting of the “Developing Branding and Commercialization Strategies for Geographical Indications Project,” carried out in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, was held at the Aydın Commodity Exchange. The project aims to commercialize and increase the market value of Türkiye’s European Union–registered geographical indication products.

The meeting was attended by Yakup Canbolat, Governor of Aydın, Fevzi Çondur, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aydın Commodity Exchange, A. Bahri Erdel, Chairman of the Assembly, Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zeki Durak, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, Prof. Dr. Habip Asan, Director of the Transition and Developed Countries Division of WIPO, Hakan Ülken, Chairman of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, Ahmet Nejat Sağel, Chairman of the Söke Commodity Exchange, along with provincial directors, chamber and exchange executives, and producers.

Our Goal is to Transform Geographical Indications into Economic Value

In his opening speech, Fevzi Çondur emphasized the importance of the project, stating:

“I am very pleased to be together with you at the closing meeting of the ‘Developing Branding and Commercialization Strategy for Geographical Indications Project,’ carried out in cooperation with WIPO and the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office to increase the commercialization and market value of our EU-registered geographical indication products. In today’s competitive environment, it is crucial that our geographical indication products not only be registered but also gain a strong brand identity and transform into economic value.

As the Aydın Commodity Exchange, we continue our efforts to promote, brand, and commercialize our registered geographical indications with determination. The inclusion of Aydın Memecik Olive Oil, for which our Exchange is the registered owner, as one of the selected products within the project—and its successful EU registration process—has been a source of great pride for us.

Through this project, we have made significant progress in positioning Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı, Olive Oil, more strongly in both domestic and international markets. Our efforts to add value by promoting the unique qualities of our products not only create responsibility for our institution but also establish a strong and sustainable mission. I would like to thank all institutions, stakeholders, and producers who contributed to this project.”

Geographical Indications Must Be Commercialized to Create Value

Hakan Ülken, President of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, also highlighted the importance of commercialization, stating:

“As we always emphasize, geographical indications cannot create real value unless they are commercialized. I am very pleased that this process has become concrete through projects and has now reached its closing meeting in Aydın. I would like to especially congratulate the President of the Aydın Commodity Exchange. While the Chamber works on trade volume and exports, the Exchange carries out highly valuable work in both trade and the commercialization of local agricultural products and regional values. These efforts require great dedication, and I sincerely congratulate all involved.”

Project Highlights and Evaluations

Speakers emphasized that registering geographical indication products alone is not sufficient; transforming them into economic value through branding and commercialization is essential. Prof. Dr. Habip Asan noted that the pilot project in Aydın would serve as a model initiative, while Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zeki Durak underlined ongoing efforts to strengthen branding and promotion of local products.

Governor Yakup Canbolat stated that Aydın Memecik Olive Oil reflects the region’s deep-rooted olive culture and plays an important role in international recognition and branding. He emphasized that geographical indications represent not only product names but also the climate, production culture, and labor of a region.

Certificates and Technical Presentations

Following the opening speeches, protocol members exchanged gifts. A presentation titled “Strengthening Branding and Marketing Strategy – Aydın Roadmap” was delivered by Project Consultant Arife Yılmaz Topal, followed by the presentation of participation certificates to producers.

In the second session, Dr. Özden İlhan from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office presented project outcomes, while Trade Expert Zeynep Merve Yavuz from the Ministry of Trade provided information on export incentives. Gülşah Öselmiş from GEKA Aydın Investment Support Office shared support mechanisms for geographical indications.

Geographical Indications Are Cultural and Economic Assets

In his speech, Governor of Aydın Yakup Canbolat stated that Memecik olive oil is an important representation of Aydın’s deep-rooted olive culture, emphasizing that the project holds great significance in terms of promoting and branding the product internationally.

He underlined that geographical indications are not merely product names, but values that reflect a region’s climate, production culture, and labor. Canbolat noted that Aydın Memecik Olive Oil and Aydın Memecik Olives are registered as appellations of origin within the European Union framework, adding that these products both contribute to the local economy and support Aydın in gaining a strong identity in international markets.

Certificate Ceremony and Presentations Held

Following the opening speeches, a mutual exchange of gifts took place among the protocol members.

The program continued with a presentation titled “Strengthening Branding and Marketing Strategy – Aydın Roadmap,” delivered by Project Consultant Arife Yılmaz Topal. After the presentation, participation certificates were presented to producers who contributed to the process by the protocol members.

In the second session of the program, Dr. Özden İlhan, Industrial Property Expert from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, delivered an evaluation presentation on the project outcomes, while Trade Expert Zeynep Merve Yavuz from the Ministry of Trade provided information on state support schemes for exports. Gülşah Öselmiş, Expert from the GEKA Aydın Investment Support Office, also shared insights on support mechanisms for geographical indications with the participants.