A web portal “Samarth” has been created for the marketing of handloom and handicraft products of Jammu and Kashmir

In a move to promote the local handloom and handicraft business, the Jammu and Kashmir government has entered into a strategic partnership with e-commerce major Flipkart by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday.

“J&K Government today entered into a strategic partnership with @Flipkart by signing an MoU with the e-commerce marketplace to bring local Handloom and Handicraft products into an e-commerce platform for their promotion,” the official handle of the Department of Information and Public Relations tweeted.

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The web portal “Samarth” of Flipkart has been created for the marketing of handloom and handicraft products of Jammu and Kashmir. It will involve and benefit artisans and weavers both in the organized and unorganized sectors.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, when local businesses are taking the brunt, the partnership of the J&K government and Flipkart will provide livelihood opportunities to the artisans, weavers, and craftsmen. The initiative will eliminate the role of the middlemen to a large extent.

The MoU was signed in presence of Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, between the Managing Director of J&K handloom and Handicraft corporation and Chief Corporate affairs officer of the Flipkart Group Rajneesh Kumar.

Speaking at the virtual event, Sinha said, “Partnership with 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.”

The LG later took to Twitter and said, “This is an important step towards the promotion of rural economy and to boost the sale of genuine exotic products of Handicrafts & Handloom sector and find new destinations for niche handmade products from Jammu & Kashmir”.

“This meaningful initiative will eliminate the role of the middleman to a larger extent and will benefit the artisans in a way that the proceeds of the sale of their products shall go directly into their accounts,” he pointed out in another tweet.

According to a report in Kashmir Observer, the Chief Corporate Affairs officer of the Flipkart Group acknowledged the partnership and said, “We are excited to join hands with the J & K Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation to bring the local heritage of Jammu & Kashmir on our platform. This MoU will enable thousands of artisans to reap the benefits of e-commerce and scale up their business.”