Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has signed up e-commerce site flipkart to promote kashmiri handicrafts across the country as well as globally. The step has been taken with the aim of promotion of the rural economy and to boost the sale of genuine and exotic products of the Handicrafts & Handloom sector in the valley. ALSO READ | Jammu & Kashmir: What Is Gupkar Declaration? Key Meeting Of Farooq, Mehbooba & Other Signatories Today

The special web portal “Samarth” of e-commerce giant Flipkart will now cater to hitherto uncovered products of Handicrafts and Handloom of J&K.

The state government today signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with online retailer Flipkart to provide an online platform for showcasing and facilitating the local artisans/craftsmen/weavers to reach customers across the globe.

The endeavour is seen as a game changer for on-boarding, sale and cataloguing of Handicrafts and Handloom products of J&K. The step by the Government at the time when the entire Country is reeling under the pressures of COVID-19 Pandemic shall provide much-needed succour to the artisans, craftsperson and weavers in J&K.

The initiative will also eliminate the role of the middleman to a larger extent and will benefit the artisans as the proceeds of the sale will be directly credited into their accounts.

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The move by the Government shall expose artisans, craftspersons and weavers to millions of customers shopping online thereby ensuring efficient marketing that too when virtual marketing has overtaken the physical marketing of goods and services across the globe.

J&K Lt Governor Maoj Sinhahas said that the initiative by the Government is more beneficial to the Flipkart than to the artists of J&K given the kind of unmatched, unique, world-class and nowhere-else to be seen artistry and dexterity of the artisans of J&K.

Key takeaways:

- Govt signs historic MoU with Flipkart to promote local handloom and handicrafts sector

- Major relief for artisans, weavers

- Web portal to display Handicrafts and handloom products of J&K

- Initiative free for the first six months for all artisans and weavers

- Partnership with the e-commerce marketplace like Flipkart will enable the local artisans, craftsmen and weavers to reach the global market: Lt Governor

“Partnership with the e-commerce marketplace like Flipkart will enable the local artisans, craftsmen and weavers to reach the global market. It will also provide an appropriate opportunity for the momentous growth and development of the respective sectors”, he added.

Government of J&K has taken in the recent past for improving the financial conditions of artisans and weavers associated with Handicrafts and Handloom sector like enhancement in loan to Rs 2 lacs under Artisans Credit card scheme.

During the virtual signing of the MoU, few artisans also showcased their products and thanked the Government for facilitating e-commerce facility for sale and marketing of their products and appreciated the timing of this move when their unsold inventories have piled up due to Pandemic.

During the first phase tie-up will cover products of lower and middle range segments like Paper-mache, Walnut craft gift items, Shawls and Stoles, Embroidery made-ups and Namda Rugs, Chain Stitch wall hangings, Willow wicker, Gabba, etc. Other high end craft items like carpets will be added subsequently.