The “GI & Beyond 2024” Summit, organised by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), concluded successfully in New Delhi. The event celebrated India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handloom and handicraft products, highlighting their cultural significance and global potential.
Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated the summit, emphasising the need to elevate GI-tagged products from “Gaon to Global” and increase artisans’ incomes. Addressing the gathering, he underscored the importance of marketing and integrating GI products into heritage and cultural tourism. Singh appealed to states to collaborate with the Textile Ministry to organise exclusive trade festivals to promote these products, taking inspiration from the Kutch festival.
“GI tagging represents our virasat (heritage), and as we move towards a vikasit Bharat (developed India), our heritage is our capital,” Singh said. The Minister distributed GI certificates to ten artisans and reiterated the government’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, highlighted the unique role of the handloom and handicraft sector in preserving India’s rich cultural legacy. “Each craft and artisan tells a story of people and traditions,” Margherita stated, calling GI tagging a tool for empowerment and a bridge to the global market.
The event also saw participation from 13 countries across four continents, with 20 international buyers, 50 exporters and multinational companies, 70 GI-authorised users, and representatives from state governments.
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A technical session explored how traditional artisanal skills could be integrated with modern business practices to expand the global market for GI-tagged products. Attendees included overseas buyers and domestic exporters, who praised the event’s focus on India’s ethnic handwoven and handcrafted traditions.
A special thematic display showcased an extensive range of GI-tagged handloom and handicraft items, drawing attention to their regional uniqueness and cultural value. This segment attracted significant interest and fostered discussions about expanding the global appeal of these products.
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