Kohima, 2 April (MTNews): An awareness and sensitization program on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was held at the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland, Kohima on 2 April 2024.
During the program, Commissioner & Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, IPoS, emphasized that the ONDC is an initiative by the Government of India aimed at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchanging goods and services over a digital network.
This initiative aims to enable local retail ecosystems to access and fulfill online demands while enhancing business efficiencies by reducing various cost overheads such as acquisition costs, digital presence costs, and inventory costs across all businesses.
Kevichusa stressed the importance of logistics service providers, which are lacking in Nagaland, where some rural areas are left out. He highlighted that ONDC is expected to make e-commerce more inclusive and accessible for both buyers and sellers, thus contributing to economic development and creating livelihood opportunities across the digital commerce value chain, including logistics, packaging, last-mile delivery, and other areas.
He also mentioned that ONDC encourages local growth and assists local entrepreneurs in reaching local markets, encouraging participation in e-commerce, regardless of size, location, digital quotient, or other factors.
Senior Vice President of Institutional & Government Banking at Yes Bank Limited, Ravi Roy, appreciated the effort to organize this first-of-its-kind event in Nagaland, considering it a historic moment for ONDC and the Department of Industries & Commerce.
Roy mentioned that the Open Network for Digital Commerce aims to democratize the market, recognizing e-commerce as the future reality that will change lives. He also emphasized that Nagaland has much to offer, and it’s the right time to embrace e-commerce, which will help local entrepreneurs reach locally made goods in the market.
Additionally, Roy mentioned that ONDC also provides gift cards that can be utilized to purchase items on all e-commerce platforms and conduct business through them.
The program also featured technical sessions from Pooja Bajaj Bagaria of the ONDC Team, DPIIT, Yaikhomba, founder of Addble Solutions Private Limited, and Daniel Domeh, System Manager at the Post Office Kohima, Nagaland. They spoke on the topics of Open Network for Digital Commerce, Addble Solutions Private Limited, and Book Now Pay Later (BNPL), respectively.