MSME Ministry, DPIIT Join Hands to Take India’s GI Products to Global Markets; ‘Bharat GI’ Banner to Boost Digital and Government Procurement.
New Delhi:
In a major push to unlock the commercial potential of India’s rich geographical 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) aimed at accelerating the commercialisation, quality standardisation and market access of India’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The MoU was signed on August 5, 2026, 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.
The collaboration seeks to transform GI products from regionally recognised traditional goods into commercially viable, scalable and export-ready enterprises, creating greater economic opportunities for artisans, weavers, producers and other stakeholders associated with India’s traditional industries.
‘Bharat GI’ banner to connect GI products with digital markets
A key feature of the collaboration will be the introduction of a dedicated “Bharat GI” banner, under which GI collectives and authorised users will be facilitated for onboarding onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The initiative is expected to provide GI producers with wider access to consumers, institutional buyers and government procurement opportunities. Digital enablement through these platforms could help traditional producers overcome geographical limitations and expand their customer base beyond their local and regional markets.
The two organisations will also work towards integrating the One District One Product (ODOP) approach into their programme design and interventions, creating greater convergence between GI products and district-level enterprise development initiatives.
Focus on quality, commercialisation and exports
Under the MoU, the Ministry of MSME and DPIIT will jointly work on strengthening the overall GI ecosystem through capacity building, quality standardisation, digital enablement and enhanced market penetration.
While GI registration provides legal protection to products associated with a particular geographical region, the two organisations have recognised that legal protection alone is not sufficient to unlock their full economic value. The new partnership is aimed at building the commercial capabilities needed to take these products to premium domestic and international markets.
The collaboration will focus on helping GI producer groups and collectives develop stronger market linkages and improve their readiness for larger-scale commercial opportunities, including exports.
Dedicated GI pavilions at trade events
Another major component of the partnership will be the organisation and co-sponsoring of dedicated GI Pavilions at national and international trade expos, buyer-seller meets and exhibitions.
These platforms will provide artisans, weavers and producer collectives an opportunity to showcase their products directly to domestic and overseas buyers. Greater participation in such events is expected to improve visibility of India’s traditional products and facilitate new business and export linkages.
Strengthening the GI ecosystem
DPIIT is the nodal department responsible for the registration and legal protection of Geographical Indications in India under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
The Ministry of MSME, meanwhile, is responsible for steering the growth, financial health and overall development of micro, small and medium enterprises, traditional industries and artisans across the country.
The MoU brings together these complementary responsibilities, linking intellectual property protection with enterprise development and market access.
The partnership is expected to create a more integrated ecosystem in which GI recognition is complemented by business development, digital commerce, institutional procurement, quality improvement and international marketing.
Boost for artisans and traditional producers
The initiative is particularly significant for India’s artisans, weavers and indigenous producer communities, many of whom depend on traditional skills and region-specific products for their livelihoods.
By facilitating access to organised digital marketplaces, government procurement channels and premium domestic and international markets, the initiative aims to increase the commercial returns from traditional products and strengthen the economic sustainability of producer communities.
The collaboration is also expected to contribute to the expansion and strengthening of the ODOP ecosystem, helping districts leverage their distinctive products and traditional strengths for enterprise development and market growth.
Supporting ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’
The Ministry of MSME-DPIIT partnership is positioned as an important step towards strengthening India’s GI economy and creating new opportunities for locally produced, regionally distinctive goods.
With greater emphasis on commercialisation, digital access, quality standards and global marketing, the initiative seeks to turn India’s geographical and cultural diversity into stronger economic opportunities for local producers.
The collaboration is expected to advance the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local by enabling Indian GI products to gain greater recognition and access in both domestic and international markets.
