To boost the industrial sector in the state through digital commerce, the Directorate of Industries and Commerce (DITC) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) which will increase business opportunities and promotion of commerce in various sectors by facilitating digital transformation.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Industries; Swetika Sachan, IAS, Secretary for Industries at the Secretariat.
The MoU was introduced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Godinho while speaking on the occasion said that collaboration with ONDC will definitely support e-commerce industries the state while generating new opportunities for local businesses. The availability of services and farm products on digital platforms through ONDC will attract new growth to local industries.
Godinho further said that a partnership with ONDC will improve commerce and industries in Goa including tourism-related business by integrating all sectors with the digital world.
Nitin Nair, Senior Vice President, Government Expansion Projects, ONDC gave a brief presentation on ONDC and its significance. ONDC, which goes beyond the current platform-centric digital commerce model, is a platform for entrepreneurs to seamlessly feature their products on multiple marketplaces and can be sold through several e-commerce platforms across the country. It is envisaged that products of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Goa will be made available on the ONDC platform in the next phase and workshops will be conducted in all talukas of Goa to create awareness on the possibilities offered by ONDC.
The MoU between DITC and ONDC aims to provide support to the manufacturers and producers in various sectors. Further, the DITC with the support of ONDC will conduct workshops, and exhibitions to spread awareness among the target group. It will educate MSMEs, startups, IT, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women entrepreneurs, horticulture, handloom and handicrafts and any other state government and/or private market participants in e-commerce relevant sectors.
Egna Cleetus, IAS, Director, Industries, Trade and Commerce, stated that the MoU is going to create a new milestone in the economic and industrial history of Goa by taking a giant step in the commerce sector and fostering new partnerships with ONDC through the democratisation of e-commerce to all MSMEs and other organisations.
Pravimal Abhishek, IAS, Managing Director, GIDC; Sandhya Kamat, Director, Handicraft, Textile and Coir; Darshana Narulkar, General Manager, DITC; Prashant Kamat, Functional Manager and other officers were present on the occasion.
Ashweeta Narulkar, Inspector of Industries hosted the programme.
