New Delhi: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, conducted a one-day workshop, “Enabling Bharat 2.0” in association with NPCI, RBIH & Sahamiti (AA). The event aimed to enlighten attendees on the vast potential of open network initiatives and how these technologies can revolutionize digital commerce in India.
By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry professionals, representatives from the banking community, government officials, private equity players, members of the technology community, and BFSI experts, among others, the workshop facilitated meaningful dialogue and exchange of ideas on the transformative potential of open networks along with an in-depth look at selected sectors.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated the workshop and titled a report on Democratising Digital Commerce in India. The report examines the potential for rapid growth in digital commerce due to ONDC and highlights the innovative possibilities that could emerge within an unbundled, open network ecosystem.
During the event, T. Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC addressed the attendees, sharing insights into ONDC’s journey, vision, and notable innovations achieved thus far. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Pramod Varma, Co-Founder at FIDE and Former Chief Architect of Aadhaar and India Stack, on unlocking digital led-growth and the paths for open networks.
The event witnessed the participation of more than 200 senior executives from a wide range of sectors, including e-commerce, FMCG, technology, BFSI, mobility, and telecom. The workshop featured a series of insightful panel discussions that covered a broad spectrum of topics, including commerce, financial services, logistics, agriculture, and B2B opportunities.
T Koshy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ONDC, said, “ONDC offers a unique proposition to empower all stakeholders to become a part of the digital revolution and reap uncapped benefits. The workshop sets the stage to revisit what we have achieved so far and set the ideal tone for the future through holistic collaboration, driving strategies for inclusion, empowerment and economic growth.”
About ONDC
Incorporated on December 31 2021, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a Section 8 company, is an initiative of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India build envisioned to create a facilitative model to revolutionize digital commerce, giving greater thrust to penetration of retail e-commerce in India. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable available networks, thereby eliminating the dependency on a single platform.
Primary ONDC objectives are as follows:
- Democratization and decentralization of eCommerce
- Inclusivity and access for sellers, especially small and medium enterprises as well as local businesses
- Increased choices and independency for consumers
