MUMBAI: A Pashmina shawl crafted in Kashmir, saffron grown in the Valley, or a willow cricket bat made by a local manufacturer has a story rooted in the region. The next opportunity is to take these products to customers far beyond their place of origin. For Kashmir’s artisans, manufacturers and small businesses, reaching buyers across India and overseas could open new avenues for growth, but doing so requires access to digital sales channels, dependable logistics and fulfilment infrastructure that can support business beyond local markets.
Seeking to help bridge this gap, DTDC Express Ltd. has launched DTDC Udaan in Kashmir, the first chapter of an initiative aimed at helping regional businesses explore new markets and build their presence beyond their immediate geographies. By bringing logistics, digital commerce and fulfilment capabilities closer to local enterprises, the initiative seeks to help Kashmir’s distinctive products find a wider customer base.
Kashmir’s business ecosystem spans traditional crafts and regional produce as well as manufacturing enterprises. Products such as Pashmina shawls, GI-tagged saffron, premium dry fruits, handicrafts and willow sports equipment carry strong regional identities and established market appeal. Yet, for smaller businesses, expanding beyond familiar trade networks can involve challenges ranging from building an online presence and reaching new customers to managing shipping and fulfilling orders across geographies. Addressing these barriers can help local enterprises explore opportunities in India’s growing e-commerce market and, where feasible, reach international buyers.
The first chapter of DTDC Udaan was marked by an event in Srinagar that brought together 48 business owners and trade leaders from across Kashmir’s commercial ecosystem. Participants included willow sports equipment manufacturers such as Tramboo Sports and Hangul Sports, alongside businesses dealing in traditional products and regional produce. The session opened with a keynote address by Rajesh Nair, Business Head, North, DTDC, followed by discussions on how digital commerce, logistics and fulfilment can support business expansion.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO, DTDC Express Ltd., said, “Across Bharat, there are businesses creating exceptional products with the potential to reach customers around the world. Kashmir, with its world-renowned Pashmina shawls, GI-tagged saffron, traditional handicrafts and willow sports equipment, is a wonderful example of this. Through DTDC Udaan, we want to help bridge the gap between local enterprise and global opportunity by bringing our logistics network, technology and fulfilment capabilities closer to these businesses. With 16,500+ channel partners as an integral part of our network, we can offer not just connectivity but also local points of contact to guide and handhold businesses as they grow. Kashmir marks the first chapter of DTDC Udaan, and we look forward to extending this initiative to regional business ecosystems across Bharat.”
For a small business in Kashmir, reaching a customer in another part of India or overseas can represent an important step towards growth. Digital platforms can provide an additional channel to showcase products and attract new buyers, while logistics and fulfilment capabilities can help businesses serve customers across geographies. Together, these can complement existing trade networks and give local sellers more avenues to take their products to market, without being limited to demand within their immediate vicinity.
As part of this broader opportunity, Kaarigo, DTDC’s e-commerce platform for authentic Indian products, artisans and regional sellers, offers a route for local makers and MSMEs to establish an online presence and connect with customers beyond their existing markets. For businesses offering products rooted in Kashmir’s craft and cultural heritage, digital commerce can help bring greater visibility to their offerings and create another avenue to reach consumers across India and beyond.
About DTDC
DTDC Express Ltd. is one of India’s leading multinational integrated logistics companies, headquartered in Mumbai. DTDC offers a comprehensive range of technology-enabled logistics services, serving a wide spectrum of customers across diverse industry verticals. Today, it operates India’s largest physically accessible express logistics Network and has over 16,500+ exclusive channel partners, which contribute to its sales and service capabilities.
