Northeast India to Showcase 150 Unique Products for GI Tagging

Government Initiatives for Northeast Products

New Delhi, Dec 30: The government has announced plans to identify at least 150 unique products from the Northeast for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging over the next two years.

The Ministry of Development of North-East Region (MDoNER) is leading efforts to tag distinctive local products from the agri-horti, handloom, and handicraft sectors, aiming to promote and safeguard their unique identities.

Additionally, the ministry has approved the establishment of the North East Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati, with an investment of Rs 22.98 crore, to foster research, innovation, and skill development in the region.

The NEST cluster will feature an innovation hub focused on grassroots initiatives, a technology hub for semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and a center of excellence for bamboo-based technologies and eco-friendly plastics, enhancing entrepreneurial growth and skill development.

The Northeast region is responsible for approximately 96% of India's agarwood production.

India's annual agarwood export quota has been increased sixfold, and a comprehensive proposal to develop agarwood clusters in Golaghat, Assam, and Kadamtala, Tripura, is currently under consideration.

Efforts are underway to strengthen traditional bamboo artisan clusters, aiming to enhance market access, establish digital connections, and ensure sustainable livelihoods for artisans by integrating over 4,000 artisans into formal markets and upgrading 15 common facility centers (CFCs).

The ministry has also facilitated the creation of procurement units in Karbi Anglong (Assam) and Mokokchung (Nagaland) to produce value-added bamboo engineered products.

The Northeast is set to play a crucial role in India's vision of achieving a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.

The Rising North East Investors Summit, held in May in New Delhi, attracted significant interest from major corporations, foreign investors, and public sector undertakings, generating investment interest amounting to Rs 4.48 lakh crore.