📜 NCE Urges Fixed Timeline as Sri Lanka’s Madrid Protocol Accession Moves to Legislative Phase

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is pushing for a definitive roadmap as Sri Lanka finalises statutory amendments to join the Madrid Protocol, a streamlined international trademark system used by over 100 economies (68% globally). • Current Status: The process is in the legislative phase with the Legal Draftsman's Department finalising amendments. NIPO previously agreed to a 6-to-9-month implementation timeframe, and NCE is demanding a tentative timeline to help exporters plan international branding strategies. • Economic & Sectoral Impact: Accession will directly protect expanding Sri Lankan brands, moving local companies from raw suppliers to global brand owners. Key affected sectors include tea, apparel & textiles, spices (like Ceylon Cinnamon), gems & jewellery, processed foods, and ICT/BPM (software platforms). • Cost & Efficiency Breakdown: • Individual filings are highly expensive (e.g., US$ 350/class in the US, US$ 356 in Canada, vs. US$ 39 in China). A 2003 comparison showed registering across 11 countries individually cost US$ 14,600, compared to just US$ 5,800 via the Protocol. • The Madrid Protocol offers a single application through Sri Lanka's IP office in Swiss francs. Base fees are ~US$ 827 (black-and-white) or ~US$ 1,143 (colour), plus ~US$ 127 per member country/class. • Strategic Value: Joining removes heavy administrative and financial burdens for SMEs, who often skip registration due to high costs. It also signals modern IP standards to foreign investors, attracting franchise, tech, and manufacturing partnerships. Remaining outside the system leaves Sri Lanka at a structural disadvantage against Asian competitors.