Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun MP said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the greatest intellectual asset of Bangladesh.
The minister made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “Intellectual Property for Materializing the Dream of the Father of the Nation” organized by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries at the Officers Club in the city, said a press release.
“Bangladesh and Bangabandhu cannot be separated from each other. Bangabandhu designed and patented Bangladesh. There is no other designer greater than Bangabandhu. Bangladesh became independent with the dream, design and guidance of the Father of the Nation,” he added at the time.
Because of Bangabandhu, Humayun said Bangladesh became a nation and a map was born.
“We are moving forward with life and livelihood under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the Covid period. Even in the Corona epidemic, nothing stopped us. Our industrial business entrepreneurs are carrying out their activities in compliance with proper hygiene rules. We have been able to keep the wheel of our economy moving in tandem with the developed world,” The Minister said.
State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder was present as the special guest while Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana was in the chair.
Speaking as the special guest, Kamal Mojumder said that in order to move ahead in the global creativity competition, the country’s successful researchers, technologists, industrialists, businessmen and all concerned must come forward to conserve intellectual property and use it properly.
He further said that Bangabandhu had realized long ago that the intellectual resources should be utilized properly for the economic, social and cultural development of the country.
In her speech, Zakia Sultana said that development of a country is possible only through proper use of limited resources. Therefore, she said there is no alternative to the proper use of intellectual property.
“It is only through small and medium enterprises that it is possible to ensure the efficient use of limited resources. To this end, the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks and the Ministry of Industry are working together to preserve intellectual property,” she added.
DPDT's registrar said the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks was working to preserve intellectual property and raise awareness.
“In the post-independence period, we have issued 6,021 patent certificates, 18,498 design certificates and 62,609 trademark registration certificates. We have issued registration certificates for geographical products of Hilsa, Jamdani, Dhakai Muslin, Khirsapat Mango, Chinigura and Kataribhog Rice, Shataranji, Rajshahi Silk of Bangladesh. We have also launched an online service, which allows customers to register at home”, he added.
The Minister later issued Certificates of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications (GI) Certificates.