New Delhi, India: 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 accelerate the commercialisation and global market access of India’s Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The MoU was signed on 5 August 2026 in Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, by Md. Salik Parwaiz, Director, Ministry of MSME, and Shri Karan Thapar, Director, IPR Division, DPIIT, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
The partnership aims to unlock the economic potential of India’s diverse GI products by helping regional products move beyond localised production towards scalable, commercially viable and export-ready enterprises.
DPIIT serves as the nodal department 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 supporting the growth, financial health and development of micro, small and medium enterprises, traditional industries and artisans across the country.
Under the MoU, both organisations will work to strengthen the commercialisation, quality standardisation and market penetration of GI products. The initiative is also expected to improve livelihoods for indigenous artisans, weavers and producers while strengthening India’s One District One Product (ODOP) ecosystem.
A key component of the collaboration is the integration of ODOP into programme design and interventions. The two organisations will 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.
The partnership will also support dedicated GI Pavilions at national and international trade expos, buyer-seller meets and exhibitions. These initiatives are intended to provide GI producers with greater visibility and opportunities to connect with domestic and international buyers.
The collaboration brings together DPIIT’s mandate for intellectual property protection with the MSME Ministry’s focus on enterprise development. By combining legal protection with capacity building, digital enablement and market access, the initiative seeks to create stronger commercial opportunities for India’s GI ecosystem.
The government expects the partnership to contribute to the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local objectives by helping regional products reach premium domestic and international markets.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India
Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau
