At the first North East Investors' Summit dedicated to textile industry jointly organized jointly by the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of DoNER, in Shillong which started on Sunday. On the occasion, the Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani launched 'India Handmade Bazaar', an online portal, that will provide direct market access facility to handloom weavers and handicraft artisans.

The portal will facilitate weavers and artisans to enter information about their products for easy understanding of customers/exporters. Weavers and artisans will be able to access the portal through their mobile number registered with Office of Development Commissioner.

The mobile number can be registered by visiting nearest Weavers' Service Centre & Marketing Centre as well. Buyers can view the products online and directly contact weaver/artisan to enquire or place an order.

Nearly 20 MoUs were also signed on the occasion, to develop & promote NER handicrafts, handlooms, agro-textiles & geo-textiles. Various MoUs were signed to promote collaboration in the textiles sector, in each of the various states in the region.

Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Dr Arvind Panagariya said that the North East has the potential to become a power-house for textile exports, thereby becoming the gateway to reach Southeast Asian countries.

A lot is being done by the Government of India for the North East and that 10 percent of the textile budget is allocated to the North Eastern states.