GI Products Get a Major Market Push as MSME Ministry and DPIIT Join Hands

GI Products Get a Major Market Push as MSME Ministry and DPIIT Join Hands

New Delhi, Aug 11: India’s traditional and region-specific products are set to get a wider market reach as the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) join hands to turn Geographical Indication (GI) products into stronger commercial opportunities for local producers.

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 5 at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, creating a joint framework to improve the commercialisation, quality and market access of GI products.

The initiative is aimed at helping artisans, weavers, traditional producers and small businesses take their products beyond local markets and connect with customers and buyers across India and overseas.

A GI tag gives legal recognition to products whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are closely linked to a particular geographical region. But for many producers, recognition is only the first step. Reaching larger markets, building a customer base and securing better commercial opportunities can remain difficult.

The new partnership seeks to bridge that gap by combining GI protection with enterprise development, digital commerce and organised marketing.

Under the agreement, GI producer groups and authorised users will be supported in accessing the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under a dedicated “Bharat GI” banner.

For small producers, this can create new avenues to showcase and sell their products beyond their immediate regions. Greater digital visibility can also help traditional products reach younger consumers, institutional buyers, retailers and potential exporters.

The two organisations will also work to strengthen the link between GI products and the One District One Product (ODOP) ecosystem. Dedicated GI pavilions at national and international exhibitions, trade fairs and buyer-seller meetings will provide additional opportunities for producers to meet large buyers and explore new markets.

The focus will not be limited to marketing. The partnership will also support capacity building, quality standardisation and digital enablement, helping producer collectives become better prepared to compete in organised and premium markets.

For artisans and traditional producers, stronger demand can translate into better income opportunities and more sustainable livelihoods. It can also encourage communities to preserve skills and production traditions that have been passed down through generations.

The initiative brings together DPIIT’s role in GI registration and intellectual property protection with the MSME Ministry’s work in enterprise development, traditional industries and artisan support.

The broader aim is to ensure that India’s regional identity becomes an economic strength for the communities that create these products. By connecting traditional goods with digital platforms, government procurement and global markets, the partnership seeks to give local producers a stronger place in the modern economy.

The initiative also supports the broader goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local, while strengthening India’s GI ecosystem and creating a more direct link between the country’s rich cultural heritage and new commercial opportunities.