Zakia Sultana, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, has issued directives to expedite the processing of pending applications, signaling that Tangail sari is on the verge of being recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.
The cherished Tangail handloom sari is poised to secure GI status within the next few days, as affirmed by the Senior Secretary, who urged swift actions in this regard during an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Industry’s conference room on Monday.
In the meeting, Sultana emphasized the need to promptly address all pending applications for GI recognition, including Tangail’s sari, Madhupur’s pineapple, Narsingdi’s lotkon, Banana (Banana Sagor), Bhola buffalo’s raw milk curd, and others.
“No negligence is acceptable in this regard,” stated the Senior Secretary, highlighting the urgency of completing the recognition process.
She further informed that Bangladesh has already secured GI recognition for 21 products. As part of an extended initiative, district administrators across the country are encouraged to identify and apply for GI recognition for one or more products or items from their respective districts. The ministry will subsequently undertake branding initiatives for the recognized products.
During the meeting, Tangail’s Deputy Commissioner, Kaisarul Islam, conveyed that the application for Tangail sari’s GI registration would be submitted within two days after completing proper documentation. The application fee payment has already been processed.
Concerns were raised about potential legal issues, given India’s earlier claim of Tangail sari as their GI product. The Deputy Commissioner assured that if necessary, steps would be taken to seek a solution through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
It is noteworthy that India’s Ministry of Culture had previously claimed the Tangail sari as originating from West Bengal, sparking discontent and humor on social media. The controversy led to demands for GI recognition of Tangail sari as a product of Bangladesh, emphasizing its significance as a cultural heritage symbol. Businessmen and locals in Tangail have been vocal in demanding the cancellation of India’s GI status for Tangail sari and the rightful acknowledgment of its origin in Bangladesh.
