Nagan Raya Jade Gains Official Intellectual Property Protection

RRI.CO.ID, Nagan Raya – The Indonesisan Ministry of Law has officially issued an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) certification for the renowned Nagan Raya Jade (Giok Nagan), establishing a robust legal safeguard and an official geographical identity for one of Aceh's most celebrated natural assets.

Head of the Aceh Regional Office for the Ministry of Law, Meurah Budiman, confirmed on Friday, June 26, 2026 that the formal patent and registration documents had been successfully processed. The legal certificates are scheduled to be ceremonially handed over to the local administration during the upcoming anniversary celebrations of Nagan Raya Regency.

According to Meurah, the certification is a direct follow-up to a strategic proposal submitted by the Nagan Raya Regency administration. Given the region's long-standing reputation as a primary hub for high-quality jade extraction and craftsmanship in Sumatra, the certification aims to shield the local industry from copycats while sharpening its market competitiveness.

"With the issuance of the IPR, Nagan Jade now has legal protection and is the official identity of Nagan Raya Regency, which can strengthen the competitiveness of regional products," Meurah said, as quoted by Antara.

He added that registering regional indicators and traditional assets is a high-priority directive for the Ministry of Law to protect localized natural wealth. The long-term plan involves helping local gemstone artisans and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form structured legal entities to maximize their commercial leverage and streamline distribution.

However, Meurah acknowledged that low awareness remains a major operational hurdle, as many regional MSME players are still unfamiliar with how trademarking, copyrights, and patents can insulate their businesses from revenue loss and legal disputes.

"The challenge in the field is that our community, especially MSMEs, is still unaware of the existence of intellectual property protection. This is crucial for providing legal guarantees and fostering economic growth," he explained.

The Nagan Raya Regency Administration warmly welcomed the milestone, viewing it as a massive victory for the region's economic branding. The area has drawn widespread national attention for its vast jade reserves, including a massive 5,000-ton jade boulder discovery that was famously repurposed to build the iconic Nagan Raya Jade Mosque, a landmark that clinched the "Most Unique Tourism Destination" title at the Anugerah Pesona Indonesia (API) awards in 2025.

"Thank you to the Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. This recognition is an important step in maintaining and developing the region's potential to achieve greater economic value," said Hizbulwatan, the Acting Regional Secretary of Nagan Raya.

Hizbulwatan emphasized that securing the IPR status is a vital commercial pivot. The local administration hopes this legal milestone will re-energize local lapidaries and merchants, encouraging them to sustainably develop and market Nagan Raya jade jewelry, crafts, and architectural materials to drive stable, long-term regional growth. ***