Guwahati: Etsy, the worldwide marketplace for unique and creative items, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) to promote small sellers, weavers, and craftsmen by providing market access and enablement support.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Etsy will collaborate with the NEHHDC to create enablement programmes for artists in the North East, including courses on online selling and entrepreneurship, as well as the potential to reach a larger market for their items.

Etsy seeks to provide vital tools and resources to artists, designers, and small entrepreneurs in the Indian handicrafts industry in order for them to launch and maintain online companies. Etsy will give these merchants digital enablement services as well as training seminars to get them acquainted with Etsy and how to sell in the marketplace. Brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh (Retd), Managing Director, NEHHDC, commented on the development, saying, "It's a critical emphasis for us to promote indigenous crafts of the North East area and generate economic possibilities for artisans."

There are almost 21 lakh weavers and 14.5 lakh craftsmen in the region, but proper market connectivity has been lacking. This partnership with Etsy has the potential to alter the game for our craftsmen, allowing them to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms and reach both domestic and worldwide consumers." "Etsy's aim throughout the world is to 'Keep Commerce Human,' and we are dedicated to harnessing the power of our company and platform to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs – recognising that by doing so, we empower and enhance communities," said Ross LaJeunesse, VP, Public Policy & Advocacy, Etsy.

There is a global appreciation for 'Made in India' products, and we want to enable artisans and craftspeople from all the North Eastern states to join our community of 5.5 million sellers and use our platform to showcase the intricacy, beauty, and quality of their art to audiences—and buyers—all over the world." This collaboration will allow indigenous items from the area (including textiles, cane and bamboo products, accessories, and more) to become available online to millions of Etsy shoppers. Etsy will accept artists from all eight North-Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. As part of this arrangement, they will earn a set number of free ad credits.