The Government of India has identified at least 150 unique products from the North Eastern region for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging over the next two years, in a strategic move to protect indigenous knowledge systems while unlocking higher market value for the region’s traditional industries.

Led by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the initiative spans a wide spectrum of agri-horticultural produce, handloom, and handicraft products, aiming to formalise the region’s cultural assets and position them more competitively in domestic and global markets. Officials said GI tagging will not only safeguard authenticity but also enable premiumisation, traceability, and stronger branding for Northeast-origin products.

The GI push is part of a broader policy framework to convert the North East’s rich biodiversity and artisanal heritage into engines of innovation, entrepreneurship, and export growth. In parallel, the ministry has approved the creation of the North East Science and Technology (NEST) Cluster at IIT Guwahati, with an outlay of Rs 22.98 crore. The cluster will anchor research and skill development across priority areas including grassroots innovation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, bamboo-based technologies, biodegradable and eco-friendly plastics, and entrepreneurship-led skilling.

Highlighting sector-specific opportunities, the government underlined the strategic importance of agarwood, noting that the North East accounts for nearly 96 per cent of India’s production. With India’s annual agarwood export quota expanded sixfold, an integrated proposal to develop agarwood clusters in Golaghat (Assam) and Kadamtala (Tripura) is under active consideration, signaling a shift from raw material extraction to organised, value-added clusters.

The bamboo economy—another cornerstone of the region’s green industrial potential—is also receiving renewed focus. The ministry is working to strengthen traditional bamboo artisan clusters, integrate over 4,000 artisans into formal markets, enhance digital market linkages, and upgrade 15 common facility centres to support sustainable livelihoods. Procurement units in Karbi Anglong (Assam) and Mokokchung (Nagaland) have already been supported to facilitate the production of value-added bamboo-engineered products.

Officials said these interventions align with the government’s long-term vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, with the North East positioned as a strategic growth frontier. The momentum was evident at the Rising North East Investors Summit held in New Delhi in May, which drew major corporate groups, foreign investors, and public sector undertakings, generating investment interest worth Rs 4.48 lakh crore.

Taken together, the GI tagging drive, technology clusters, and artisan-focused value chain upgrades reflect a calibrated attempt to move the North East up the value curve—transforming cultural capital into commercially viable, globally recognised assets.