New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) In a move aimed at unlocking the economic potential of India’s Geographical Indication (GI) products, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen market access, digital integration and commercialisation of GI-tagged products across the country, it was announced on Tuesday.
Under the partnership, the two departments will work together to transform GI products from traditional and localised crafts into scalable, commercially viable and export-ready enterprises.
The collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between legal protection of GI products and their broader economic utilisation by focusing on quality standardisation, branding, market expansion and enterprise development.
DPIIT, which is responsible for the registration and protection of Geographical Indications under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and the MSME Ministry, which oversees the development of micro, small and medium enterprises as well as traditional industries and artisans, will jointly implement a series of initiatives to strengthen the country’s GI ecosystem.
“As joint initiatives, both organisations will work towards integrating ODOP in their programme design and interventions, collaboratively facilitate the onboarding of GI collectives and authorised users onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under a dedicated ‘Bharat GI’ banner, and co-sponsor dedicated GI Pavilions at national and international trade expos, buyer-seller meets and exhibitions for domestic and global marketing of GI products,” the ministry stated.
The ministries will additionally co-sponsor dedicated GI pavilions at national and international trade fairs, exhibitions and buyer-seller meets to promote Indian GI products in domestic and global markets.
The initiative is expected to create new business opportunities for artisans, weavers and producer groups while improving their access to premium consumers and export channels.
“The collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s Geographical Indications (GI) ecosystem by facilitating capacity building, digital enablement and enhanced market access for artisans, weavers and producer collectives,” the ministry stated.
“It will further support the integration of GI products with premium domestic and international markets, contributing to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local,” it added.
–IANS
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