Sylhet`s traditional Shitalpati gets GI certificate

Sylhet's traditional 'Shitalpati' is getting Geographical Indication (GI) certificate of Bangladesh. Among the products produced by Bangladesh's soil, water, weather and human creativity, 18 products have received GI recognition so far. This time Shital Patti of Sylhet is ahead to take place in this list.

It is known that Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BCIC) has applied for GI recognition to Shitalpati in Sylhet. At least six other products are also on the GI recognition list this time. Among these are indigenous breed goat Black Bengal, Ashwina and Langra mangoes from Chapainawabganj, Kachagolla from Natore, Tulsimala rice from Sherpur and curd from Bogra.

Traders believe that the products can get special benefits for export if they get GI recognition.

The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industry accords this recognition and certificate to the products of Bangladesh in accordance with the principles of the World Property Rights Organization (WIPO). Those who apply for GI are granted intellectual property rights. GI products cannot be recognized at will. There are several processes to go through.

The applicant authority or individual has to provide proof that the desired product is essentially only available in Bangladesh. A committee of DPDT evaluates and approves it. It was then published in the organization's journal. If no one objects to the product then the certificate is issued. When asked about this, DPDT examiner (patent) Nihar Ranjan Barman said, 'Ashwina and Langra varieties of mangoes are now in the BG press for publication in the GI journal. All information of Natore Kachagolla and Black Bengal Goats is verified. We are now creating the journal. Tulsimala paddy has also received final approval. Bogra curd and Shitalpati are in this list. 80 percent of the work has been completed.

According to DPDT sources, in 2016, Jamdani saree was recognized as the first GI product of Bangladesh. After that, Hilsa, Khirshapati mango, Muslin, Bagda shrimp, Kalijira rice, Vijaypur white soil, Rajshahi silk, Rangpur Shataranji and Dinajpur Kataribhog rice were recognized one by one. Fazli mangoes of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj were included in this list last month.

About the certificate, the Registrar of DPDT, Khondkar Mostafizur Rahman, said, "If a product is produced in a special area, gets special features and qualities, then it gets a GI certificate." For example, the Fazli mango of Rajshahi will grow where it grows, it will have the same smell and sweetness on the tree, but it will not be the same on the tree of other areas. Because there is a different quality in that mango because of the soil, climate and water.

The concerned persons say that getting the GI certificate helps to catch the international market. If you get the certificate, you get benefits in exporting. Foreigners will also know that the product is from that particular area of Bangladesh.

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