Gandhinagar, March 12 (NationPress) A new initiative will create dedicated retail spaces for indigenous products in four prominent cities of Gujarat, aiming to enhance market access for local artisans, self-help groups, and small-scale traders.

On Thursday, the state government revealed plans for the establishment of ‘Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls’ in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, under the auspices of the Gujarat Urban Livelihood Mission (GULM). These urban malls will serve as permanent marketplaces where consumers can purchase locally-made goods directly.

This initiative is being spearheaded by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, as part of broader efforts to promote the sale of indigenous products and support urban livelihoods.

The malls will feature organized and modern spaces for artisans, women from self-help groups, street vendors, and small industries to showcase and sell their products.

This program is a continuation of previous ‘Swadeshi Melas’ that were held across urban centers in Gujarat.

During the state’s Urban Development Year 2025-26, these fairs took place in 16 municipal corporations as part of a plastic-free Swadeshi Festival.

These events provided temporary platforms for artisans, vendors, and small traders to exhibit their locally-produced goods and connect with urban consumers.

Officials indicated that the new malls aim to transform this temporary setup into a permanent marketplace, offering producers a reliable retail outlet throughout the year.

On a national scale, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has championed campaigns promoting domestic manufacturing and the use of indigenous goods, such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, and ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi’.

The state government stated that the urban malls align with these initiatives, encouraging citizens to support locally-made products.

"These malls will provide a variety of indigenous goods in one location, fostering a direct link between consumers and producers," officials noted.

In addition to regular retail operations, the facilities will also host fairs and exhibitions to highlight products crafted by local artisans and small businesses.

The state government has earmarked Rs 45 crore in this year’s budget for the creation of the ‘Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls’ and for future Swadeshi Melas.

Officials emphasized that this project seeks to enhance marketing avenues for artisans, women’s self-help groups, and street vendors while promoting the sale of domestically-produced goods in Gujarat’s urban hubs.