Four new items from Bangladesh have been recognized as Geographical Indicator or GI products status.

Those are yogurt from Bogura, Tulsimala rice from Sherpur, Ashwina and Langra mangoes from Chapainawabganj.

The Directorate of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) official confirmed that Bangladesh is now the one and only owner of the four products. 

This approval was given in June 26 meeting of the DPDT, an institution under the Ministry of Industry.

So far, Bangladesh has got the ownership of a total of 15 GI products. No other country or individual in the world can claim the ownership of these 15 products.

Geographical indication (GI) is a special name or symbol used for a material. This name or symbol is determined by the geographical location or source (such as a country, region, or city) of a particular item. Geographically recognized materials ensure certain quality standards or specific manufacturing systems or specialties. The biggest advantage of GI products is the branding of the product in the global market, which puts GI products ahead of any other equivalent product.

DPDT recognizes and certifies GI products under the Ministry of Industry in accordance with the norms of the International Property Rights Organization (WIPO). In 2013, the Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection) Act was enacted. In 2015, the DPDT called for the registration of GI products after the formulation of the Act. After this, Jamdani saree was recognized as a GI product for the first time in Bangladesh in 2016.