New Delhi, August 11 (APAC Media): In a significant move to unlock the economic potential of India’s rich Geographical Indication (GI) heritage, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement was signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, by Md. Salik Parwaiz, Director, Ministry of MSME, and Karan Thapar, Director, IPR Division, DPIIT, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Focus on Commercialising GI Products
DPIIT is the nodal department responsible for the registration and legal protection of Geographical Indications in India, while the Ministry of MSME oversees the development of MSMEs, traditional industries and artisans.
The MoU seeks to bridge the gap between legal GI protection and commercial opportunities by helping transform locally produced GI goods into scalable, commercially viable, and export-ready enterprises.
The collaboration will focus on quality standardisation, capacity building, digital enablement, and wider market access, with the aim of improving livelihoods for indigenous artisans, weavers and producers.
GI Products to Get Wider Digital and Global Reach
As part of the partnership, the two organisations will integrate the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative into relevant programmes and interventions. They will also facilitate the onboarding of GI collectives and authorised users onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under a dedicated “Bharat GI” banner.
The ministries will further co-sponsor dedicated GI Pavilions at national and international trade expos, buyer-seller meets and exhibitions to promote Indian GI products among domestic and global buyers.
The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s GI ecosystem and support the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local by connecting traditional products with premium markets.
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