A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) Ltd and Amazon India which will provide an e-platform for the handicraft and handloom products of the state, in Imphal on June 6.
MHHDC managing director E Jeeten Singh and head of public policy (e-commerce), Amazon Udyay Mehta signed the MoU.
The MHHDC has already been tied up with Amazon since 2020 and was taking a key responsibility in providing an e-market platform for Manipur’s handloom and handicraft products during the COVID-19 pandemic through its own e-market platform called panthoibi.com.
Now, with the signing of the MoU, MHHDC will take a leading role in marketing Manipur handloom and handicraft products through Amazon.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh thanked the Amazon team for acknowledging the importance and uniqueness of the State’s handloom and handicraft.
He said that it is indeed very fortunate for the state to have a platform under Amazon and the interest shown by Amazon to “our handloom and handicraft products show not only the uniqueness but also the quality of our products”.
CM Biren Singh also spoke on the importance of Geographical Indications (GI) and said it is necessary to GI tag the traditional dresses, and craft items of the state’s tribes.
He also appreciated the department officials for their commitment and dedication.
Now that the Amazon platform is available, weavers will not face the lack of marketing space for their finished products, Biren Singh said adding that already 250 handloom and handicraft items have been uploaded on the e-marketing platform.
