Industries Minister calls for quality focus alongside GI recognition

Staff Correspondent:

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun emphasized the importance of maintaining product quality alongside Geographical Indication (GI) recognition during a certificate distribution ceremony. The event, organized by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries, on Thursday awarded GI status to 14 traditional Bangladeshi products, including the famed Tangail Saree.

Humayun highlighted Bangladesh’s potential, enriched by its diverse natural resources and the artistic skills of its people. He stressed the need to not only recognize these unique products as GI but also ensure their quality and sustainable preservation.

The ceremony, held at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy, saw Humayun address participants as the chief guest.  DPDT Director General Md. Munim Hasan presided over the event, while Zakia Sultana, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, and Ambassador Mashfi Binte Shams, Rector of the Foreign Service Academy, were among the special guests.

Humayun outlined plans to promote GI products in the global market. He proposed centralized exhibitions at Bangladeshi missions abroad, airports, and other key locations.  Additionally, promoting these products at domestic and international fairs was emphasized. The Minister envisioned collaboration between the Ministry of Industry’s DPDT, BSIC, and SME Foundation with district and upazila administrations to facilitate the development and expansion of GI products.

“Bangladesh is not an empty basket now, it is a full basket,” declared Humayun. He urged for the effective utilization of the country’s abundant resources through sponsorships, technical assistance, and training programs.

Senior Industry Secretary Zakia Sultana acknowledged the delay in recognizing GI products but highlighted the progress made.  She mentioned a preliminary list of 500 potential GI products and pointed to the “Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection) Act” enacted in 2013 and its corresponding regulations formulated in 2015.

Sultana emphasized the importance of protecting GI products through patenting alongside promotion.  She suggested using these products as gifts for festivals and state occasions, along with leveraging social media, TVCs, and documentaries to raise awareness.

The ceremony marked the recognition of 14 Bangladeshi products as GI, bringing the total number of GI-certified products by DPDT to 31.  These newly recognized products include Rasgolla from Gopalganj, Amrit Sagar Kala from Narsingdi, Chamcham from Porabari of Tangail, Khaja of Sesame from Comilla, Black Bengal Goat, Agar and Agar Atar from Moulvibazar, Manda of Dates from Jessore, and Sweet Pan of Rajshahi.