Importance of the Geographical Indication of Traditional Handicraft with Reference to West Bengal, India

: Handicraft activities occupy an important position in the economic structure of West Bengal. The West Bengal handicraft products have earned worldwide fame for their attractive designs, functional utility and high-quality craftsmanship. However, this sector has suffered a lot due to unorganized market, Lack of skilled workers, new technology and absence of brand image. So, in order to improve the production and branding of handicraft Geographical Indication is needed. Geographical Indication (GI) identifies a goods/product as originating in a particular region, where a particular quality of the good is attributable to its place of origin. GI will help West Bengal producers differentiate the uniqueness of the products from similar competing products, establish brand and goodwill of local products, make premium price for such products, and increase sales/export by protecting reputation of the products. The main objective of this research study is that importance of geographical Indication on the traditional handicraft products in West Bengal and also to provide awareness among the people on the importance of it in social upliftment for rural development. The study highlighted the present status of the GI registration in West Bengal and benefits from GI.