Government to promote tribal products in international markets: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry

• Shri Piyush Goyal calls for united efforts to empower tribal communities and showcase their craftsmanship worldwide
• Shri Goyal calls for the transformation from“Van  Dhan to Vyapar Dhan,”

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal has said that all tribal products with export potential will be fully supported by the Department of  Commerce through various channels, including e-commerce platforms, international warehouses for product display and sales,aswellas wholesale and retail trade networks. Shri Goyal said this while addressing the Tribal Business Conclave 2025 in New Delhi today in the august presence of Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram.

Organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the conclave marked a historic moment during Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

Commerce Minister informed the Conclave that a scheme is currently being developed to strengthenexportpromotioneffortstoensurethattribalproductsgainthevisibilityandmarket access they rightfully deserve in both domestic and global markets.

Shri Goyal said that both domestic and international markets offer immense opportunities for tribal goods and crafts, and that the Government is taking necessary measures to harness this potential in the coming years. The Minister emphasized that the Prime Minister believes that the nation can truly prosper only when the indigenous people prosper. He said that India’s growth and development depends on ensuring that progress reaches every household, particularly those in tribal and remote regions. Shri Goyal reiterated that the upliftment of tribal and indigenous communities remains a top priority for the Government, reflecting its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.

Shri Goyal noted that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Department of Commerce have jointly played a pivotal role in promoting trade and commerce of tribal and indigenous products. He said that schools,colleges, universities, trade bodies and government institutions have together ensured that quality tribal products from the remotest corners of the country reach marketplaces and consumers across India.

Shri Goyal informed that the budget allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been increasedby50percentthisyear.HeaddedthatunderthePM-JanmanYojana,approximately 50 lakh families belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups have benefitted, with Rs. 24,000 crore disbursed to improve their quality of life.

He said that the tribal community of India is deeply proud of its roots, culture, and traditions. He informed that the fee for obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) tags has been reduced by 80 per cent—from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 1,000—to encouragemoretribal products to beregistered andtoensurethatIndia’shistoryandtraditionsarepreservedthroughtheircraftsandheritage.

Concluding his address, Shri Goyal called for the transformation from “Van Dhan to Vyapar Dhan,” envisioning that tribal and indigenous products should reach international platforms, truly realising the vision of “Local Goes Global.” He urged all stakeholders to work together to achieve this shared goal of empowering tribal communities and showcasing their craftsmanship to the world.

FICCI and PRAYOGI also supported the conclave as Industry PartnerandKnowledgePartner, respectively. The event celebrated tribal resilience and creativity while positioning tribal enterprise at the heart of India’s development agenda for Viksit Bharat @2047.

The event witnessed participation from over 250 tribal enterprises, with 150 exhibitors and more than 100 tribal start-ups showcasing their innovations at the “Roots to Rise” pitching platform. The initiative provided a direct connection between entrepreneurs, investors, corporate and government buyers creating a vibrant ecosystem for collaboration and growth.