Addis Ababa, February 19, 2007 (WIC) – Starbucks will not oppose Ethiopia’s efforts to obtain trade marks for its specialty coffee--Sidamo, Harrar/Harrar and Yirgachefe--and respects the right and choice of the government of Ethiopia to trademark its coffee brands and create a network of licensed distributors, a joint statement issued yesterday by the government and the company disclosed.
According to the joint statement released here and in Seattle (USA), though both parties recognize that there are differences in approaches to achieving this shared vision, Starbucks has indicated that it respects the right and choice of the government of Ethiopia to trade mark its coffee brands and create a network of licensed distributors.
The parties have also agreed to collaborate in meeting their shared vision to increase the income of farmers and ensure sustainable production of fine coffee, it said.
Starbucks has accordingly agreed to double its purchase from East Africa and increase its purchases from Ethiopia. It will also provide technical support and capacity building to Ethiopian farmers through a farmer support center that it will open in East Africa, the statement pointed out.
The farmer support center will be staffed with agronomists who will work with farmers to improve quality yields and prices received, it was stated.
Starbucks has further pledged to expand its micro credit facilities in East Africa to help farmers in their farms.
The joint statement further added, both the government of Ethiopia and Starbucks will continue to strengthen their partnership and engage in consultation on strategies to improve the lives of Ethiopian coffee farmers and their families.
Source: Walta Information Center