The partnership allows iShippo.com to initially engage with weavers in Bagalkot and other clusters hubs in the state of Karnataka, Business World has reported. The products will carry government certifications 'India Handloom Brand' and 'Handloom Mark'.

The global demand for Indian Handloom is increasing. According to Handloom Export Promotion Council, India exported handloom worth $350 million for the FY 2014-15. India has 2.4 million looms with significant production capacity in the country. The Indian handloom sector employs 4.3 million weavers.

“It's opening up to change, focusing on sustainable growth & welfare of the weaver communities. We are literally bringing the global market to our weaver's doorstep. We can take an idea from design to finished goods and deliver it to the hands of buyers in one seamless transaction.” said Karma Bhutia, Founder and CEO of iShippo.com

Promotion of marketing of Handloom products through e-commerce is a priority of the Textiles Ministry. In order to promote e-marketing of handloom products in a transparent competitive and effective manner, the Textile Ministry has partnered with iShippo.com

On this occasion Alok Kumar, Development Commissioner, Handlooms, said, “India Handloom Brand is a major initiative of Government of India to reposition premium and good quality handloom products for the benefit of consumers as well as weavers. We are promoting e-marketing of genuine and authentic handloom products so as to reduce intermediaries and increase the gains both for consumers and the weavers."

According to the report, iShippo aims to allow technological enablement of artisans to bridge the digital divide, bring the global market at the doorstep of weavers, help weavers transform into entrepreneurs from daily wagers, initiate capacity building of the artisan community and ensure self-sustainability of clusters. (SH)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India