Flipkart signs MoU with Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation Ltd.

Walmart-owned ecommerce major Flipkart today said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation Ltd. (HPSHHCL) to bring the State’s local artisans, weavers, handicraft, and handloom makers into its e-commerce marketplace.

The announcement comes on the arrival of National Handloom’s Day observed on August 7, to celebrate and honor India’s rich community of handloom weavers, the company said in a statement.

Flipkart, which launched its Samarth Program in 2019, with an aim to bring India’s artisans, weavers, and handicrafts producers onto e-commerce. Flipkart Samarth is now able to support the livelihood of over 7,50,000 artisans, weavers, and craftsmen across India and is working towards bringing more such sellers to the platform, the company said in a release.

The e-commerce marketplace also has a partnership with Govt. of India's DAY-NULM program where it is collaborating with the ministry to establish the Samarth program in 22 states, including the clusters of self-help groups of Himachal Pradesh.

Under this program, The partnership will enable Himachal Pradesh’s master craftsmen, weavers, and artisans to showcase their hallmark products and provide them with market access training and support, the company adds.

Speaking on the development Kumar Singh, IAS, Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation Limited (HPSHHCL) said:

“Himachal Pradesh is beaming with rich and diverse handlooms and handicrafts, spread across small pockets within the State. It has been our constant endeavor to revive these old traditional crafts and provide livelihood opportunities to the communities that manufacture and produce them."

"These craftsmen and weavers are not just showcasing the aesthetic genius in their work, but also bring forth technical competence - which has been passed on from generations."

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group said:

"Flipkart Samarth seeks to break entry barriers for these under-served communities and will extend incubation support and benefits in the form of seamless onboarding, cataloging, marketing, account management, business insights, and warehousing support. This will create avenues to increase business and trade inclusion opportunities for these very important segments of society and give a boost to Indian art & heritage.”

Flipkart is currently working with 3,00,000 sellers on its marketplace platform, who are able to unlock the true potential of technology to reach their end consumers. The company recently announced the expansion of its supply chain network in Gujarat with an aim to support local sellers and meet the growing demand for e-commerce.

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