<p>The move follows the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granting geographical indication (GI) status to the famous Scotch Whiskey of Scotland.<br /> <br />As per the registry, Scotch Whiskey is the 148th item in a list of 151 products that have been given GI status.<br /><br /> The status denotes that a product belongs to a particular area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.<br /> </p>.<p>Commenting on the development, Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) Chief Executive Gavin Hewitt said: "India is one of our priority markets. There is a huge demand for Scotch Whiskey from discerning Indian consumers. It is important that they have confidence in the quality and integrity of what they are buying".<br /> <br />He further said that the association plans to celebrate later this year in Delhi for the grant of GI registration to Scotch Whiskey.<br /> <br />SWA, which accounts for more than 95 per cent of production and sales of Scotch Whiskey, had filed an application before the Indian authorities seeking to register Scotch Whisky as a GI under the Indian GI Act in 2009.<br /> <br />India is among the top ten export markets by volume for Scotch Whiskey. In 2010, 40.1 million bottles (700 ml) of Scotch Whiskey were exported to India, an increase of 40 per cent from 2009.<br /> </p>.<p>Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said in a statement that the UK government has been working hard to protect Scotch Whiskey and the consumer from the passing-off of inferior products.<br /> </p>.<p>"The awarding of Geographical Indication status in India is good news for Scotland and great news for one of its most important exports," he added.<br /> <br />"India is the latest market to benefit from GI protection and we will continue to work with the SWA to support this essential Scottish industry," Mundell said.<br /> <br />In India, Scotch Whiskey currently represents less than one per cent of the spirits market.</p>
<p>The move follows the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granting geographical indication (GI) status to the famous Scotch Whiskey of Scotland.<br /> <br />As per the registry, Scotch Whiskey is the 148th item in a list of 151 products that have been given GI status.<br /><br /> The status denotes that a product belongs to a particular area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.<br /> </p>.<p>Commenting on the development, Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) Chief Executive Gavin Hewitt said: "India is one of our priority markets. There is a huge demand for Scotch Whiskey from discerning Indian consumers. It is important that they have confidence in the quality and integrity of what they are buying".<br /> <br />He further said that the association plans to celebrate later this year in Delhi for the grant of GI registration to Scotch Whiskey.<br /> <br />SWA, which accounts for more than 95 per cent of production and sales of Scotch Whiskey, had filed an application before the Indian authorities seeking to register Scotch Whisky as a GI under the Indian GI Act in 2009.<br /> <br />India is among the top ten export markets by volume for Scotch Whiskey. In 2010, 40.1 million bottles (700 ml) of Scotch Whiskey were exported to India, an increase of 40 per cent from 2009.<br /> </p>.<p>Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said in a statement that the UK government has been working hard to protect Scotch Whiskey and the consumer from the passing-off of inferior products.<br /> </p>.<p>"The awarding of Geographical Indication status in India is good news for Scotland and great news for one of its most important exports," he added.<br /> <br />"India is the latest market to benefit from GI protection and we will continue to work with the SWA to support this essential Scottish industry," Mundell said.<br /> <br />In India, Scotch Whiskey currently represents less than one per cent of the spirits market.</p>