India's HP state to make handloom items available on e-com platforms

The e-commerce platforms will enable small artisans living in remote or snowbound areas of the hill state to showcase their organic, natural and handmade products and connect them with buyers from across the country, Kanwar said in a statement.

The uploading of the SHG products on e-commerce platforms is under progress and will be available under 'Him Ira’ brand.

This is a major step towards women empowerment and will give a big boost to the women entrepreneurs, he said.

The necessary standardisation procedure and quality tests along with paper works are being completed expeditiously to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the women from SHGs.

The minister said this would also integrate SHGs with the government's public finance management system, thus helping them get their payments without difficulties.

The state government will help the SHGs in branding, packaging and pricing their products to make them market competitive.

This will open doors of growth and ensure the rural women folks get maximum profit, Kanwar said.

At present, the products made by women SHGs are available only at government and a few other outlets.

Following an initiative of Kanwar, the state tourism department has agreed to display these products at all the tourist hotels in Himachal Pradesh so that the SHGs products are easily available to the tourists.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)