Kancha Golla, a popular sweet item made in the northwestern district of Natore, has secured recognition as a product with geographical indication (GI) from the Department of Patent, Industrial Design and Trade Mark (DPDT).

"We have given the GI recognition to Kancha Golla as it is part of our heritage. This will enable producers to commercialise the sweet product in the markets at home and abroad," said DPDT Director Jellur Rahman.

With this, Kancha Golla became the 17th product of Bangladesh that has so far received the GI status.

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.

Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production, said the UN agency.