To promote the exports, the Government is looking at getting duty-free access for different products, identified under One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Union Textile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared that ODOP products, like handicrafts, handlooms and jewellery, have huge opportunities.
Addressing the launch of ODOP gift catalogue and storefront on public procurement portal GeM here, the Minister said, “We are doing FTAs where we are looking at duty-free access for all these products. So we can create international acceptance of these products.”
States are taking a series of measures to promote goods under the ODOP. Notably, states like Uttar Pradesh have products like apparel and handicraft under ODOP.
Experts feel that there are a lot of opportunities for these goods. E-commerce platforms too are selling these goods.
In a free trade pact, two or more countries significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them to boost bilateral commerce.
The Department of Commerce is engaging with State and Central Government agencies to promote the initiative. The objective is to convert each district of the country into an export hub by identifying products with export potential, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products, supporting local exporters/manufacturers to scale up manufacturing and finding potential buyers outside India.
On this occasion, the Minister also insisted a five-point approach for ODOP success and that includes developing one-stop gifting destinations with high-quality suppliers; involving students of institutions like National Institute of Design; and extensive training sessions for artisans.
