Given the ongoing disputes surrounding GIs between Bangladesh and India, questions loom over the equitable recognition of trans-border GIs of Bangladesh.
While there is a long way to go in establishing a system for shared protection of transborder GIs, it is recommended that Bangladesh sign a regional agreement with the EU if it hasn’t yet and accede to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement, 2015. Subsequently, through mutual understanding between the neighbouring countries, potential avenues for joint protection of shared geographic resources should be explored.
To secure and reap the benefits from GI recognition, the government’s role is necessary, but the role of producers is no less pertinent. Although twenty-eight GI products have been registered in Bangladesh, none have been exported with the GI tag yet, indicating a failure on the part of exporters to capitalise on the GI tags. Eligible businesses must contact the GI owner organisations to gain from premium export prices.
Authors: Debapriya Bhattacharya and Naima Jahan Trisha
Publication period: September 2024