Indian Economy News

GI Tags: Scaling Traditional Wealth into Global Brands

India is strengthening its Geographical Indication (GI) ecosystem to protect traditional products, preserve cultural heritage and create sustainable economic opportunities for artisans, weavers, farmers and producer communities. By certifying products linked to their place of origin, GI tags enhance authenticity, improve consumer confidence and enable producers to access premium domestic and international markets. Government initiatives are supporting the ecosystem through legal reforms, financial assistance, export promotion, tourism integration and dedicated marketing platforms, transforming GI products into key drivers of rural development and export-led growth. India is now home to over 800 registered GI products, with 607 GI registrations granted since 2014, while the number of authorised GI users has increased from 365 to 29,000 as of January 2025. GI recognition can also increase rural artisans' incomes by 20-30%, highlighting its growing economic significance.

The Government has further strengthened the GI ecosystem through measures such as an 80% reduction in GI application fees, lower renewal charges, reimbursement of up to Rs. 2 lakhs (US$ 2,105) for GI registration under the MSME Innovative Scheme, and financial assistance of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh (US$ 1,580) for GI protection under the Ministry of Textiles. Dedicated initiatives such as PM Ekta Malls, One Station One Product, GI Trails and APEDA-led export promotion have expanded domestic and international market access for GI products. Leading export destinations now include the UK, Italy, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, the US and South Korea, while India aims to achieve 10,000 GI registrations by 2030. These initiatives are expected to strengthen rural livelihoods, preserve India's rich cultural heritage, enhance exports and reinforce the country's position as a global hub for authentic regional products.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.