At least 150 unique products from the North Eastern region have been identified for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging over the next two years, the government said on Monday, in a move aimed at protecting and promoting the region’s indigenous heritage and traditional industries.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is leading efforts to secure GI tags for distinctive agri-horticultural produce, handloom and handicraft items from across the region.
The initiative is intended to preserve the cultural identity of local products while enhancing their market value and global recognition.
As part of its broader push to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in the North East, the ministry has also approved the establishment of the North East Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati at a cost of Rs. 22.98 crore.
The cluster will focus on research, innovation and skill development, with dedicated hubs for grassroots innovation, semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies, bamboo-based technologies, biodegradable and eco-friendly plastics, as well as entrepreneurial and skill development initiatives.
The government highlighted the strategic importance of the North East in agarwood production, noting that the region accounts for nearly 96 per cent of India’s output.
With India’s annual agarwood export quota increased sixfold, an integrated proposal to develop agarwood clusters in Golaghat in Assam and Kadamtala in Tripura is currently under active consideration.
Efforts are also underway to strengthen traditional bamboo artisan clusters across the region.
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The ministry is working on projects to integrate more than 4,000 artisans into formal markets, improve digital linkages and upgrade 15 common facility centres to support sustainable livelihoods.
In addition, procurement units have been supported in Karbi Anglong in Assam and Mokokchung in Nagaland to facilitate the production of value-added bamboo-engineered products.
The government said the North East is poised to play a key role in India’s long-term development vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
It pointed to the Rising North East Investors Summit held in New Delhi in May, which saw participation from major corporate groups, foreign investors and public sector undertakings, generating investment interest worth Rs. 4.48 lakh crore from private investors and PSUs.
