Andhra Pradesh crafts get ODOP boost with digital catalogue, ₹172-Crore PM Ekta Mall in Visakhapatnam
To provide a physical platform for these products, the government is developing PM Ekta Malls across the country. In Andhra Pradesh, a flagship mall is being constructed on a five-acre site in Visakhapatnam, with an estimated investment of ₹172 crore. The State government has submitted the Detailed Project Report, which has received approval from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and construction is currently underway. The mall is expected to be operational by May 2026.
Under the ODOP initiative, 99 unique products spanning Andhra Pradesh's 26 districts have been identified. These include agricultural produce, food-processed goods, handicrafts, handloom textiles, manufactured items, and marine-based products. Although DPIIT does not provide direct financial assistance under ODOP, the State government has undertaken several promotional measures, including the establishment of common facility centres, testing laboratories, packaging units, and design hubs to support producers and exporters.
In addition, workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building programmes focusing on youth and women are being organised to enhance marketing, branding, packaging, and quality standards of ODOP products. According to the Minister, sales of ODOP items are steadily rising, with many products now available on online platforms such as Lepakshi and APCO.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
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Time of India
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