Dharamshala: Snapdeal, India’s largest online marketplace today announced its partnership with the government of Himachal Pradesh to launch India’s first Special e-commerce zone at Dharamshala in the presence of Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh.
With the Special Ecommerce Zone we are looking at invigorating and mainstreaming local economies by linking and assisting them to harness the potential of the internet,” Snapdeal Co-founder and CEO Kunal Bahl said
Snapdeal has partnered with Development Logics; a Dharamshala based IT Company to outsource some parts of its image tagging process. Varun Rattan Singh, CEO and Co-founder, of Development Logics said, “This partnership showcases the potential, which exists, wherein big brands can leverage upon skilled talent available in tier-3 towns and rural areas of India. This initiative strengthens our belief that IT can be leveraged to create employment opportunities for youth in Himachal Pradesh.”
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh who was also present at the launch, said, “I am delighted that Snapdeal has taken the initiative to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Dharamshala by creating a special e-commerce zone“.
The Chief Minister also expressed hope that this would have a positive impact on the economy of the region which until now was largely based on tourism. He said that this unique effort to power local economy could present a new model of development for the country with massive growth of internet economy.
The company said that the zone would offer multi-dimensional digital initiatives like creating online entrepreneurs, information technology training camps, outsourcing to local information technology companies, establishment of a Snapdeal technology innovation lab and promoting traditional state handicrafts through a specially curated online store for Himachali handicrafts.
Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Town & Country Planning, Sudhir Sharma was also present at the occasion.
