DHAKA, Feb 5, 2024 (BSS) - Senior Secretary of the Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana today said traditional Tangail handloom saree will be recognised as Geographical Indication (GI) products soon.

"So far, Bangladesh has got the ownership of a total of 21 GI products," she told a meeting on GI product recognition at Industries Ministry in the city, said a press release.

Zakia instructed the authorities concerned to speed up the processing of all applications pending for recognition as GI products.

She also asked district administrators to find and apply for one or more products or items from 64 districts across the country.

After recognition as GI products, branding initiatives will be taken on behalf of the Industries Ministry, she added.

In the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner of Tangail said that the application for registration of Tangail saree as a GI product will be submitted within two days after proper documentation.

Pay-order for application fee has already been done, he added.

It was informed in the meeting that the government is thinking about legal issues as India has already declared Tangail saree as their GI product. Necessary efforts will be made to resolve the issue through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).