The Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India and the North Eastern Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the North Eastern Region Conclave in Guwahati, Assam.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection of unique products from the North Eastern states through Geographical Indications (GI) registration and Post-GI initiatives.

Key Highlights of the MoU

• GI Registration of Handlooms & Handicraft Products from NE region: The initiative will initially facilitate GI registration of 33 unique products — 18 from Nagaland and 15 from Meghalaya — under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Collaborative Development: Both organizations will work jointly with Central and State Governments to strengthen textiles, handloom, handicrafts, khadi, and allied sectors in the region.
• Strengthening Post-GI Initiatives: Beyond registration, the partnership will focus on capacity building, branding, and market linkages to ensure sustainable growth and recognition of Northeastern crafts.

Significance

This initiative is expected to:

• Empower artisans and weavers by protecting their traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.
• Enhance global visibility of Northeastern textiles and handicrafts.
• Create new economic opportunities through branding and market expansion.

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