Bangladesh’s rich heritage, epitomized by the Tangail Saree and 14 other geographical indication (GI) products, has been awarded registration certificates. The distribution ceremony for these certificates took place yesterday at the Multipurpose Hall of Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road, organized by the Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries.
In addition to Tangail Saree, the products receiving GI certification include Gopalgonj’s Rasgulla, Narshingdi’s Amrit Sagar Kola, Porabari’s Cham Cham from Tangail, Roshmalai from Comilla, Til er Khaja from Kushtia, Black Bengal Goat from Bangladesh, Hāṛi Bhāṅgā Mango from Rangpur, Agar and Agar Ator from Moulvibazar, Mandā from Muktagachha, Date Palm Jaggery from Jessore, and Misti Pan and Nakshi Kantha from Rajshahi and Jamalpur, respectively. With these additions, the total number of GI-certified traditional Bangladeshi products now stands at 31.
As the chief guest at the event, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun stated, “Due to the independence and unique characteristics of soil, air, water, environment, and artisans, numerous geographical indications or GI products have flourished in our small land. Alongside granting GI status to these products, attention must be paid to their qualitative preservation and technical maintenance.”
Chaired by DPDT Director General Md. Munim Hasan, the event featured special remarks from Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Zakia Sultana, Rector of the Foreign Service Academy Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams, and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Kamrun Nahar Siddika. Senior Secretary Zakia Sultana commented, “We have already prepared a preliminary list of 500 products that can potentially receive GI status. Although there may be some delay, we have taken effective initiatives.”
The event celebrated the recognition of these iconic products and underscored the government’s commitment to preserving Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage and promoting its unique products on the global stage.