A total of 14 traditional products of the country, including Tangail saree, have been recognized as GI products by the Directorate of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks of the Ministry of Industry.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun handed over the certificate to the concerned people at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy's Multipurpose Hall on Bailey Road in the capital on Thursday (April 25).
The products recognized as GI products are - Rasgolla of Gopalganj, Amrit Sagar banana of Narsingdi, Chamcham of Porabari of Tangail, Rasmalai of Cumilla, Tile Khaja of Kushtia, Black Bengal Goat of Bangladesh, Hanribhanga Mango of Rangpur, Agar Atar of Moulvibazar, Manda of Muktagacha, Jashore Date Jaggery, Sweet Pan of Rajshahi and Nakshikantha of Jamalpur. With this, the number of traditional products of Bangladesh with GI certification by DPDT stands at 31.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry said that Bangladesh is a country with immense potential on the face of the earth. Just as nature has poured her diverse resources into this country of six seasons, similarly, the hardworking people of this country have increased the fame and reputation of Bangladesh in the world by preparing unique products through their artistic crafts. Due to unique and unique characteristics of soil, air, water, environment, skills of artisans etc., numerous geographical indications or GI products are spread all over this small territory. In addition to recognizing these scattered products as GI, attention should be paid to their quality and sustainable preservation.
Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said, we have to take effective initiatives and steps now to promote and expand GI products in the global market. Bangladesh missions abroad, all international and domestic airports and important places of the country should be centrally arranged for the exhibition of these products. Moreover, GI products can be displayed at various fairs in the country and abroad. He said that the district and upazila administration can take effective steps for the development and promotion of these products with the cooperation of DPDT, BSCIC and SME Foundation under the Ministry of Industry.
The Minister said, Bangladesh is not an empty basket now, it is a full basket. We have no shortage of resources; we just need to make good use of them. These resources and products should be disseminated through necessary sponsorship, technical assistance and training.
Senior Industry Secretary Zakia Sultana said, we have already prepared a preliminary list of 500 products that can be recognized as GI. Although a little late, we have taken effective initiatives in this regard. He said, under the direction of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, we enacted the 'Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection) Act in 2013 and later in 2015 we formulated the relevant regulations. The special guest said, we have to protect the GI product and at the same time patent it. To promote GI products, we can give these products as gifts on various festivals, festivals and state occasions. Moreover, measures can be taken to promote the system on social media by making TVCs, documentaries about these products.
Under the chairmanship of DG of DPDT Munim Hasan, Zakia Sultana, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, Ambassador Mashfi binte Shams, Rector of the Foreign Service Academy and Kamrun Nahar Siddika, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries spoke as special guests.