Khirsapati gets GI certification


FE Report | Published: January 27, 2019 22:21:33


Khirsapati gets GI certification

Khirsapati mango of Chapainawabganj got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on Sunday.
The fruit is the third to get GI registration, followed by Hilsa fish and Jamdani saree.
The certification would help boost both production and export of the mango variety, experts said at the GI certificate handover ceremony.
Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) organised the ceremony at the industries ministry.
Industries Minister Nurul Mazid Mahmud Humayun formally handed over the GI certificate to Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) director (horticulture research centre) Dr Madan Gopal Saha.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin.
The state-run BARI applied for such certification for the mango variety in February last year on behalf of the growers of Chapainawabganj, the key mango-producing hub in the country.
While speaking as the chief guest, the minister said getting such GI certification will brighten the brand image of the country in the global fruit market.
This certification will also help raise the production of the delicious mango variety, he added.
He requested the DPDT to complete the process of GI certification of two other mango varieties-Lengra and Ashwina.
State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder also spoke at the ceremony chaired by acting industries secretary Md Abdul Halim.
Mr Halim said Khirsapati mango comprises 20 per cent of mango output and 40 per cent of exports.
The GI registration will help boost its export in the coming years.
He said such development would also encourage the farmers for growing safe mango.
DPDT director Sanowar Hossain who coordinated the programme said 29 more produce and products of the country were in the pipeline for GI certification.
Dr Madan said they are preparing the list of the farmers and gardeners who grow Khirsapati in Chapainawabganj district.
"They will be registered with DPDT," he said.
GI is defined in TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement of World Trade Organisation as an indication which identifies a good as originating in the territory of a member or a regional locality in that territory where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

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