Port Blair, November 06 (PIB): Invest India, in collaboration with the Department of Industries, Government of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, successfully conducted the Stakeholder Consultation and ODOP Sampark event today. The conference highlighted local products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, aiming to boost economic opportunities and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Abdul Rashid and Mrs. Sunita Kumari, Assistant Directors (Technical), Industries Department, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by special remarks from Mr. Ajit Anand, Deputy Director of Industries Department, who outlined the government’s commitment to empowering local producers and artisans.
A comprehensive presentation on the ODOP Initiative and its success stories in domestic and international markets was delivered by Mrs. Sonia Duhan, Senior Assistant Vice President, ODOP, Invest India. She shared insights into the transformative impact of ODOP on local economies and emphasized the global potential of products from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The event also saw participation from officials of the Industries Department, including Mr. Mohammed Ishaque, Mr. Sindhupathi Raja and Mr. T. Alvikutty, Assistant Directors (Technical), Mr. R. Janak Rao and Mrs. Rathinder Nath, Industries Promotion Officers and Mr. Vijay Wilson, Manager, Sagarika Union Territory Emporium.
The GeM ODOP Bazaar Session, led by Mr. Manesh Mohan, Business Facilitator from GeM, provided an in-depth guide on leveraging ODOP Bazaar at Government e-Marketplace for promoting and selling ODOP products efficiently. This was followed by a session from Mr. Vishnu Kant, Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade, RA Kolkata, who offered key insights into export facilitation and government schemes that can aid local businesses in accessing international markets.
In addition to the above knowledge sessions, a stakeholder consultation was conducted with 40+ sellers from both Fisheries/Marine sector and Coconut industry, along with Union Territory officials from the Department of Industries, Marine, Agriculture, and Emporium to understand current challenges and issues. This session was facilitated by Mr. Ishdeep Singh, Manager, ODOP, Invest India. The discussion focused on addressing product-related bottlenecks, which were recognized and acknowledged by the concerned departments.
The event also featured a live exhibition of local products, providing attendees a first hand experience of the craftsmanship and unique offerings from Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Highlighting the collaborative spirit between the State and Central government, the event focused on exploring avenues to boost export readiness, facilitate investments, and enhance market access for local products. Plans to establish dedicated retail spaces, such as the proposed Unity or Ekta Mall, were also discussed, emphasizing the long-term vision of creating a sustainable and comprehensive platform for artisans.
This Stakeholder Consultation and ODOP Sampark event reinforced the commitment to fostering balanced regional development, echoing the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. By promoting one unique product from each district, the ODOP initiative continues to drive socioeconomic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and empower local communities across the nation.
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