New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS): Design training for Molela artisans in Rajasthan's Rajsamand, skill training for Muga Silk weavers from Assam's Kamrup, and sustained year-year trade facilitation of Lakadong turmeric from Meghalya's West Jaintia Hills have the same bedrock of economic empowerment through trade facilitation, capacity building, and product development, thanks to the Centre and state government concerned's collaboration in promoting products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.

ODOP's work in e-commerce onboarding and its close association with large e-commerce players to support rural artisans in leveraging web-based sales through dedicated storefronts and the promotion of ODOP products from across districts and categories at international events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 was discussed at the conference organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

The initiative's work in Jammu and Kashmir, especially its successes in trade facilitation for walnuts and apples, was discussed. Facilitation of Jammu and Kashmir's representation at the Dubai Expo 2020 and successful buyer-seller meets as well as focused trade discussions conducted therein were also highlighted. The rest of the states would also soon be facilitated to participate in events at an international level, said the UT's Principal Secretary, Industries, Ranjan Prakash Thakur while presenting a report, 'Changing Narratives for the Manufacturing Sector in Jammu and Kashmir'.

Uttar Pradesh presented the success of its model wherein artisans and producers from all districts have been promoted and assisted under the programme. UP provides a template for states to successfully implement and take forward the goal of creating each district as a hub for economic development through the product synonymous with it, Additional Chief Secretary, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Export Promotion, Navneet Sehgal, said.

Tripura outlined a roadmap for promoting remote districts and boosting the local economy and focussed on successful collaboration between the state government and the ODOP team thus far, and the next steps that would be taken to promote product development and exports from all its eight districts, Tripura's Additional Director, Industries and Commerce, Swapna Debnath, said.