Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir -File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, Sept 2, 2026 (BSS) - Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government has taken a series of measures, including strengthening intellectual property (IP) protection and management, to diversify the country’s exports and enhance the international competitiveness of Bangladeshi innovations, traditional products and creative industries.

He said this while replying to a written question from Khelafat Majlis lawmaker Mohammad Abul Hasan of Sylhet-5 in Jatiya Sangsad today.

Besides, he said the government has modernised the legal framework for intellectual property by enacting the Bangladesh Patent Act, 2023 and the Industrial Design Act, 2023.

In this context, he however, said the government is ensuring protection for innovation, brands and creative assets under the existing Trademark Act, 2009 and Copyright Act, 2023.

The minister said the government has also been registering and protecting traditional and region-based Bangladeshi products as geographical indication (GI) products to establish their distinct identity in international markets.

“The use of GI logos is helping in branding, marketing and value addition of products,” he added.

He said the activities of the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) have gradually been brought under digitalisation and automation to simplify patent, trademark and industrial design registration.

The government is also encouraging domestic innovators, research institutions, universities and industrial entrepreneurs to register their intellectual property, he added.

The minister said the government is encouraging IP protection and branding in emerging export sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agro-processed food, leather and leather goods, light engineering, plastics, handicrafts, ICT and creative industries.

“Measures have also been taken to develop industrial clusters, upgrade technology and ensure quality control to enhance export competitiveness,” Muktadir said.

He said the government has taken policy preparations in line with the TRIPS Agreement to strengthen local research, innovation, technological development and domestic production capacity so that Bangladesh can maintain its export competitiveness after graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.

Regarding the positive outcomes, the minister said the international recognition of Bangladesh’s traditional products has increased the country’s brand identity and acceptance in overseas markets.

“The registration of patents, trademarks and industrial designs is ensuring legal protection for domestic innovations, technologies and brands, thereby increasing the value addition and competitiveness of exportable products,” he said.

He said producers and entrepreneurs of GI-registered products are getting higher market value and new export opportunities, creating positive impacts on local economies and employment.

The minister said IP protection is playing an important role in expanding exports beyond readymade garments to pharmaceuticals, light engineering, leather, plastics and agro-processed food, creating a supportive environment for export diversification.

“Strengthening the intellectual property protection system has increased the prospects for foreign investment, technology transfer and innovation-led industrialisation, which are contributing to sustainable export growth,” he said.

Muktadir said the government considers IP protection as one of the key foundations of export diversification and has taken effective measures through legal reforms, GI registration, patent and trademark protection, brand development and support for innovation to develop new export sectors.