Panaji, January 29, 2019 … …Minister for Civil Aviation Shri. Suresh Prabhu today inaugurated India’s 1st Geographical Indication (GI) Store at Goa International Airport in Dabolim. The store is located on the 1st floor on Departure Terminal, and jointly set up by Airport Authority of India(AAI) and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India(CEPCI). Members of Parliament Shri. Narendra Sawaikar and Shri. Vinay Tendulkar, Minister for Tourism Shri. Manohar T. Ajgaonkar, Minister for Town and Country Planning Shri. Vijay Sardesai, Minister of Panchayat Shri. Mauvin Godinho were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Prabhu informed that currently there are 270 GI registered products in the country and the store will be a boon for the global tourists. “All airports in India will have a GI stalls in the coming future. These stalls will also promote local products, handicrafts and geographical talent. Goan Feni is one of the GI products, and Mankurad Mango is a local specialty. The AAI will soon sign an agreement with all the State Governments in the country to promote their local produce at the airport,” the Minister told.
The Minister also told that products from self-help groups, artisans and farmers’ produce will be also displayed on the airport at a concessional rate. “The Ministry of Commerce has already made a proposal to overseas Trade Missions. If the Trade Missions across the globe agree to display our products, it will be very profitable for the rural sector. Japan, Korea and other Scandinavian countries have already agreed to keep our Marine products with a little value addition at their airports. International Trade Expos is another destination to keep these products on display,” he informed. He further added that in the coming future all the GI stores will have a similar design, designed by National Institute of Design. We have a very rich cultural heritage. Hence, our archives will be digitized soon and made available to the general public, Shri. Prabhu said.
Earlier, the Minister inspected the new stall in the presence of other Ministers and traders. Ministers Shri Ajgaonkar and Shri. Godinho also spoke on the occasion.
