This recognition brings glory for country

Our national fish hilsa has got recognition as the geographical indication (GI) product of Bangladesh. With this recognition, hilsa would be registered internationally as a fish of Bangladesh. As per the information of Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), all procedures to register hilsa as a GI product of Bangladesh have been completed. Several days later, the registration certificate will be handed over to the department of fisheries (DOF).

The production of hilsa is increasing every year in the country. This time too, we have found news reports about catching hilsa in large quantities in mass media. As per the information of the commerce ministry, five lakh metric tonnes of hilsa are collected every year in the world whose 60 percent is from Bangladesh. This sector contributed 1.15 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The hilsa is world famous not only for its quantity but also for its quality or taste. So, there is no doubt that hilsa is our fish. That hilsa is our fish has been formally established through its GI registration.

The recognition of hilsa as a GI product brings glory for our country. As a result, Bangladesh’s historical rights on hilsa have been well established. With this recognition, Bangladesh will be a partner of marketing rights from international market in promoting hilsa. As a result, a possibility to gain 20 to 25 percent price has been created compared to the previous time. Side by side, hilsa’s brand value will also go up in Bangladesh.

As a GI product, this recognition comes at a time when hilsa production decreases in other countries but it is increasing in Bangladesh due to proper conservation. The main reason behind this increase in hilsa production is the launch of a campaign to protect jatka (hilsa fry). A ban on catching hilsa fish has been imposed every year for a definite time. This results in the increase of hilsa production. We expect the demand of hilsa will be increased worldwide as it is being registered as a GI product. At the same time, the availability of sufficient hilsa should be ensured in the local market alongside increasing its export. It should be taken into account that hilsa cannot become unavailable in the local market.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Earlier on November last year, Jamdani sari was registered as the first GI product of Bangladesh which set a milestone in protecting the proprietary rights. On November 13, 2016, the department of fisheries formally filed an application seeking GI registration of hilsa and finally got that recognition.

We have some other products and they need to be registered.  Now, the DPDT is handling with 24 applications filed for recognising 24 other products, including kataribhog, kalijira rice, Fazli mango, silk sari from Rajshahi and Harivanga mango from Rangpur, as GI products of the country. We expect the government can ensure recognition of these products as GI products.

risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 10, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Amirul