Baghda shrimp got the G I certificate in favor of Bangladesh

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The local variety of big-size Baghda Shrimp of Bangladesh has got a GI Certificate (Recognition of Geographical Indication Product)from World Intellectual Property Organization. Janendra Nath Sarkar, Registrar and Additional Secretary, Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Ministry of Industries confirmed this on 18 May 2022.

WIPO is the global forum for Intellectual Property (IP) services, policy, information, and cooperation of the United Nations with 193 member states.

The mission of the organization is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.

 

He further added that the issue of recognition was quite certain. No other country has objected to this. So the Baghda shrimp’s GI Certificate is now for Bangladesh.

 

Bangladesh Industry ministry sources said that Bangladesh had applied for a GI certificate for Baghda variety Shrimp in May 2019. On October 6 last year, the Department of Design and Trademarks published the matter in the gazette and international journal. According to the rules, if no one objects within two months of its publication in the journal, there is no longer any restriction on getting a GI certificate for that product.  

December 6 last year was the last day to raise objections. During this period, as no other country objected to it so Bangladesh became the first applicant to get a GI certificate. For this reason, the sole rights of the Baghda Shrimp are now in favor of Bangladesh.

Earlier, traditional women's dress Sharee variety “Jamdani”, ( traditionally handloom woven) of Narayanganj district was registered as the country's first Geographical Indication Product (GI). Then superfine “Dhakai Muslin” clothes; Silk of Rajshahi region; “Shatranji”,  one kind of handmade woolen carpet of Rangpur division; White Soil of Vijaypur of  Netrokona district;  “Kataribhog”  and “Kalijira” aromatic rice of  Dinajpur district; “Kheershapati”  mango of Champainawabganj district and finally Hilsa (Tenualosa Iilisha) got GI certificate.

The shrimp traders of Bangladesh are happy to get the GI certificate of Baghda Shrimp. M Khalilullah, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Frozen Fishermen's Exporters Association (BFFEA), told that now Bangladesh would get more value as its own product in the world market. And there will be foreign investment in this sector.