‘Fazli Aam’ (Mango) of Rajshahi and ‘Bagda Chingri’ (Shrimp) of the Khulna regions will get a GI certificate in August this year, while three other well-known products are in the pipeline for the same certification.
The three products will be Sitalpati in Sylhet, Tulsimala Rice, an aromatic rice in Sherpur, and 'Bogurar Doi or curd in Bogra division, said an official of the Department of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (DPDT).
According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a GI is a name or sign used on certain products, which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin.
GI tags are issued as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in our country.
The DPDT under the Ministry of Industries of Bangladesh issues this recognition and certification by the rules of the WIPO.
“We are going to get the two products GI certificate within one or half months this year as we are now in the final stage of getting the certificate,” said Md. Abdus Sattar, Registrar of Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT) while talking to Bangladesh Post.
Another renowned three products of Bangladesh are in the pipeline for registration. Five products have already been registered in Bangladesh as Geographical Identification (GI) and with this, the total number of GI products in Bangladesh increased to 9, he added.
From now on, these products will be known as Bangladesh's own products all over the world, he also said.
The currently registered GI products are Rajshahi Silk, Shataranji in Rangpur, Kalijira Rice in the Barishal region, Kataribhog Rice in Dinajpur, and Sadamati in Netrokona.
Earlier, Jamdani was recognized as a GI product in Bangladesh for the first time in 2016. Then in 2017, Hilsa, in 2019 Khirsapati Mango, in 2020 Dhakai Muslin.
The 'Fazli' mango is a mango primarily grown in Bangladesh, and Indian State of West Bengal. Rajshahi Division in Bangladesh is the major producer of fazli. An important commercial variety, it is increasingly being exported.
Between April 2006 and March 2009, India obtained a geographical index for Fazli Aam in Malda district from the World Trade Organization. And then, Bangladesh also started thinking about getting a geographical index for Fazli in Rajshahi in 2013. There is a dispute over this issue regarding registration to the WTO manual by India.
‘Bagda Chingri’ (Shrimp) farming in the south and south-eastern coastal belt of Bangladesh began in the early 1970s. Most shrimp and prawn farms (53 percent) are in southwest Bangladesh mainly in the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat, and produce 46 percent of the country’s total shrimp and prawn production, according to the research of the Department of Fisheries Management, and Department of Aquaculture.
Sittal pati is a kind of mat that is cold by nature. It is made from murta plants and cane which are usually used in Bangladesh. The murta plant grows around water bodies in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Barishal, Tangail, Cumilla, Noakhali, Feni, and Chattogram.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Tulimala rice is cultivated in Sadar Upazila, Nakla, Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Sreebardi.
'Curd from Bogra' or 'Bogurar Doi' is a type of common food in Bangladesh that is prepared from the fermentation of milk bacteria. It is known all over the world for its taste. It has a reputation as a nutritious and delicious food. Yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
Any sign or symbol used in a product expresses the specific geographical origin of that product and the specific qualities or reputation of the geographical source, the DPDT official said.
Granting patent rights for the protection of manufactured new innovations, design registration for protection of aesthetic beauty of manufactured products, trademark and service mark registration for protection of commercial goods and services, and registration for protection of geographical indication products, he also informed.
If the environment, climate, and culture of a country play a role in the production of a product, it is recognized as a geographical indication product of that country, according to the DPDT.
G-I recognition makes it easier to brand products globally. These products have different values. The region enjoys the right and commercial protection to produce the product commercially, the official said.
The person or organization that applies for GI is given intellectual property rights.
In 2013, the Geographical Indications Products (Registration and Protection) Act was enacted. The DPDT called for registration of GI products after the enactment of the law in 2015.
The DPDT is a body of certification, but ministries, agencies, and trade bodies concerned should work for branding of the GI products to boost its demand in local and international markets, he said.