The renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between MIPAAFT - ICQRF and Alibaba was signed today in Milan, in the presence of the Minister of Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Tourism Policies, Gian Marco Centinaio, and the President of Alibaba Group, Michael Evans, the largest e-commerce platform in the world.
The agreement, lasting two years, consolidates a three-year collaboration between the Ministry and Alibaba and confirms the strategic role of the Ministry in the promotion of certified quality agri-food excellence in our country and in the protection of consumers in online purchases, under observation of the the Central Inspectorate for the protection of quality and fraud repression of agri-food products of the Ministry of Agriculture which can report irregular online sales directly to the e-commerce platform, that is, which usurp, evoke or are counterfeiting of protected geographical indications.
“Today with the agreement with Alibaba we have achieved a double goal. Promote our products of excellence on the largest e-commerce platform in China, expanding the list of certified products, and at the same time protect them. We give producers the opportunity to broaden their demand basin, conquer new market shares and close distances, and at the same time we guarantee consumers that those products they find on the online shelves are one hundred percent made in Italy "- so the Minister of agricultural, food, forestry and tourism policies, sen. Gian Marco Centinaio. “Let's not forget that Italian sounding lives and reproduces itself online. Digital is the key that opens the doors of the world. We need to seize the opportunities offered by international trading platforms, but also to protect consumers and businesses. In recent years, the agreement with Alibaba has led to excellent results. We must not let our guard down. Together with the ICQRF, which takes care of the protection of Italian excellence around the world, we continue to ensure that our quality products are appreciated as they are and that consumers can shop in complete safety. "
"For Alibaba, the expansion and renewal of this MOU represent further confirmation of the consolidated relationship of collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism" - said Rodrigo Cipriani Foresio, Managing Director of Southern Europe Alibaba Group and General Manager Europe of Tmall Business Development - "We are even more proud that Minister Gian Marco Centinaio has chosen our day of celebration of Alibaba's 3 years in Italy, here in Milan, to seal an important moment together with our partners and in presence by Michael Evans, President of Alibaba Group. The commitment of the Alibaba Group for the protection of Italian PDO and PGI products does not stop and the ever-growing number of products included in the MOU demonstrates our progress ".
With the new MoU, the Italian geographical indications on all the platforms of the Alibaba Group rise to 26, thus covering the majority of the most exported Italian productions. The expansion of the list of PDO and PGI products will also include Mortadella from Bologna, Emilia, Parma Ham, Barolo, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Valpolicella wine, Sabina oil, Pecorino Toscano, Grana Padano and Garda oil.