New Delhi: In a virtual address during the "ONDC Elevate" programme held in Bengaluru on Monday, Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, emphasised the role of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in democratising India's existing e-commerce ecosystem. The programme, chaired by Goyal, marked ONDC's one-year completion and provided a platform for participants and ecosystem players to discuss achievements and shape the future trajectory of the network, said the statement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
During his address, Goyal hailed ONDC as an engine of growth that has the potential to revolutionise the industry. He noted that the significant number of sellers on the network serves as a testimony to ONDC's impact in reimagining digital commerce in the country. Engaging with all network participants during the Open House, the Minister listened to their feedback and urged them to redouble their efforts in democratising digital commerce in India.
In response to participants' queries, Goyal stressed that any marketplace joining ONDC should demonstrate a serious commitment rather than joining the network for namesake. He emphasised that when a platform becomes part of ONDC, it should operate in the spirit of give and take, contributing to the network's progress and not merely benefiting from it.
The ONDC Elevate programme witnessed the presence of the ONDC Advisory Council members, including Dilip Asbe, CEO of NPCI, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman of the Capacity Building Commission, and Jaxay Shah, Chairman of QCI. This interactive session provided participants with the opportunity to share suggestions and seek guidance from the Minister and the advisory council members.
T Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC, reflected on the network's achievements over the past year and outlined its future direction. He highlighted the network's continuous evolution, with participation from merchants spanning from five cities to 236 cities.
The programme also focused on various milestones ONDC has accomplished in the past year. Since its beta testing launch on September 29, 2022, ONDC has scaled to include 36,000 sellers, 45+ network participants, and 8+ categories. It registers a weekly average of 13,000+ retail orders and 36,000+ mobility rides per day, with peak transactions reaching 25,000 retail orders in a single day. The workshop emphasised the impact ONDC is generating, particularly for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and non-digitised sellers, said the statement.
The event marked a significant milestone for ONDC, reflecting its commitment to democratising digital commerce in India. With the Minister's guidance and collaboration among network participants and ecosystem players, ONDC aims to shape a more inclusive and sustainable e-commerce ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
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