Puducherry Government has joined hands with Snapdeal to market and promote the rich and diverse handicrafts of local artisans online under the brand name ‘Artisanat’. The agreement was entered this month through online dealings, B Vasanthakumar, managing director of the federation said.

A memorandum of understanding was executed to this effect between Puducherry State Cooperative Handloom and Handicrafts Federation (PSCHHDF), a government of Puducherry undertaking, with Snapdeal, an online shopping portal.

Through this MoU, Snapdeal will address some challenges such as lack of promotion and market accessibility that the handicraft industry is currently facing.

Technical and operational support to local artisans would be offered by Snapdeal to help them market their products to a larger consumer base.

Initially, around 10 popular items would be put up for sale and based on the response it will be scaled up, said Vasanthakumar.

As part of this partnership, Snapdeal will equip the artisans with online cataloguing and refine offerings of the products through its data analytics tools, according to a release from Snapdeal. This initiative will enable customers choose from a wide range of signature handicrafts from Puducherry.

Vishal Chadha, vice president, market development at Snapdeal, said that they are committed to empowering the small and medium businesses in India by promoting entrepreneurship and direct market access through technology. This association is primarily to provide a platform to the rural artisans from Puducherry to promote and sell their indigenous products to a nationwide audience and thus create employment opportunities. It is a mutually beneficial association promoting an all-inclusive growth of the handicrafts industry and create a significant business value for them.

The PSCHHDF will be coordinating with around 20 primary societies producing the crafts and Snapdeal, said Vasanthakumar.

Leather craft, textile pottery, handmade paper, wood carving, clay and terracotta, jewellery, jute craft, metalwork, candles and incense sticks will be available on Snapdeal from May 2015.

This initiative will provide artisans from Puducherry a wide market without having to travel and display their products from place to place.