Protection of Geographical Indications in Bangladesh: Problems and Challenges

Abstract

Geographical Indications (GI) is a term used to identify unique products that are manufactured, produced or found in a specific geographical location. These kinds of products holds significant value for it’s uniqueness and special characteristics. Around the world, countries implement policies and institutions to protect its GI products through GI certification and other protection mechanisms. Notable Bangladeshi GI goods are Hilsha fish, Nakshi Kantha, Jamdanee Saree, Sundarban Madhu etc. In Bangladesh, geographical indications (GI) is protected through the legislation titled ‘Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013. In this regard, TRIPS agreement of World Trade Organization (WTO) plays an important role to protect GI in other countries. Bangladesh is a signatory party of this agreement. There are various problems and challenges that hinders the protection of geographical indications. Solving these problem requires effort on several fronts. If Bangladesh manages to solve these underlying problems and overcome the challenges, geographical indications has the potential to become a new industry in local and international arena.