New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) In a significant move to democratise digital commerce, The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-run initiative, has announced the integration of 300 sellers from traditional artisan clusters and 400 women entrepreneurs into its e-commerce network.

This development marks a pivotal step in bridging the digital divide and empowering small-scale businesses across India.

The ONDC, in partnership with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has activated sellers from six renowned craft clusters, including Lucknow's Chikankari, Moradabad's Brassware, and Kanchipuram's iconic sarees.

Many of these sellers are venturing into the digital marketplace for the first time, with promising results already visible. Notably, nine Kanchipuram saree sellers have reported a significant increase in sales, generating Rs 21 lakh from over 180 orders in just 10 months since joining the platform.

T. Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, highlighted the initiative's impact, stating, "The Open Network taps such gaps effectively by creating a level playing field for all sellers, regardless of their size or background. We are driving economic empowerment with equitable distribution of growth opportunities as our anchor."

The initiative's focus on gender inclusivity is evident in its onboarding of approximately 400 women-led businesses. These enterprises collectively support livelihood opportunities for over 5 million women across the country.

The network includes well-known brands like Kudumbashree, Jharcraft, and the SEWA Federation, alongside individual artisan clusters from Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

In a move to promote sustainable development, ONDC has also integrated over 30 social enterprises into its network. Additionally, 50 sellers of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products from the India International Fair Trade have been brought onto the platform, further expanding the reach of these unique, locally-produced goods.

(KNN Bureau)