Dhaka: Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today announced that the government has implemented several measures to diversify Bangladesh's exports by improving intellectual property (IP) protection and management. These steps aim to boost the international competitiveness of the country's innovations, traditional products, and creative industries, as stated in response to a written query from Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Mohammad Abul Hasan of Sylhet-5 in Jatiya Sangsad.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has modernized the legal framework for intellectual property by enacting the Bangladesh Patent Act, 2023, and the Industrial Design Act, 2023. The minister emphasized that protection for innovations, brands, and creative assets is also ensured under the existing Trademark Act, 2009, and the Copyright Act, 2023. Furthermore, traditional and region-based Bangladeshi products are being registered and protected as geographical indication (GI) products to establish their unique identity in international markets.
The minister highlighted the use of GI logos, which aids in branding, marketing, and adding value to products. The Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT) has been gradually digitized and automated to simplify the registration processes for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. The government is also encouraging domestic innovators, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs to register their intellectual property.
Muktadir stated that the government is promoting IP protection and branding in emerging export sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agro-processed food, leather and leather goods, light engineering, plastics, handicrafts, ICT, and creative industries. Measures are in place to develop industrial clusters, upgrade technology, and ensure quality control to enhance export competitiveness.
The minister also mentioned policy preparations aligned with the TRIPS Agreement to strengthen local research, innovation, technological development, and domestic production capacity, ensuring Bangladesh's export competitiveness post-graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.
Highlighting positive outcomes, Muktadir noted that international recognition of Bangladesh's traditional products has elevated the country's brand identity and acceptance in overseas markets. The registration of patents, trademarks, and industrial designs provides legal protection for domestic innovations and brands, increasing value addition and competitiveness of exportable products. Producers and entrepreneurs of GI-registered products are benefiting from higher market values and new export opportunities, positively impacting local economies and employment.
IP protection is playing a critical role in expanding exports beyond readymade garments, particularly in pharmaceuticals, light engineering, leather, plastics, and agro-processed food, thereby creating a supportive environment for export diversification. Strengthening the IP protection system enhances prospects for foreign investment, technology transfer, and innovation-led industrialization, contributing to sustainable export growth.
Muktadir affirmed that the government views IP protection as a crucial foundation for export diversification. Effective measures, including legal reforms, GI registration, patent and trademark protection, brand development, and support for innovation, have been implemented to develop new export sectors.