Leverage open digital networks to transform retail, distribution ecosystems: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi, June 10
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday held a review meeting with the officials from ONDC and Nirmit Bharat here.
The discussions focused on leveraging open digital networks to transform retail and distribution ecosystems, bring small producers and artisans onto digital platforms, strengthen logistics and mobility services through innovative digital solutions.
"Emphasised how these efforts have the potential to deepen market access, improve service delivery and drive broad-based economic participation," Goyal posted on X.
Nirmit Bharat is a non-profit subsidiary of the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
Earlier this month, ride-hailing platform Uber announced a strategic investment in ONDC, which is one of the earliest investments by a global technology company in India's open digital commerce network.
The company said the investment deepens its commitment to India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem and reflects its long-term strategy of building mobility and logistics services through open and interoperable networks.
The investment builds on Uber's existing partnership with ONDC and follows the company's earlier integration with the network.
Adil Zainulbhai, Independent Director at ONDC, said the investment reflects growing confidence in India's digital commerce infrastructure and its ability to create a level playing field for businesses.
Earlier, Zoho Corporation announced an investment of Rs 70 crore in ONDC to support the development of sovereign technology and strengthen India's digital public infrastructure.
The Chennai-headquartered global technology company said the investment is aimed at making technology more accessible and inclusive for businesses of all sizes, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
ONDC enabled 218 million transactions during FY2025-26 as it continued expanding its network across sectors including retail, logistics, mobility and financial services.
ONDC is building open digital commerce rails aimed at enabling interoperability, inclusivity and efficiency across sectors, while addressing structural challenges such as fragmented systems, high entry barriers and trust deficits in digital commerce.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, some good news for small businesses. Our local kirana store owner was saying how he can't compete with big e-commerce giants. ONDC's open network idea is brilliant—it levels the playing field. But we need better internet connectivity in smaller towns for it to actually reach the masses. No point having a digital platform if people can't access it!
Good step, but I'm skeptical. The government talks big about digital transformation, but ground reality is different. My uncle tried to get his handloom business on ONDC—process was confusing and support was slow. Also, Uber investing in it makes me wonder if it will truly remain 'open' or become another corporate-controlled network. Let's wait and watch.
This is a smart move! As a foreigner living in Bangalore, I see how fragmented the retail space is. ONDC could bring much-needed efficiency. The Zoho investment shows even Indian tech companies believe in this. If executed well, it could rival global platforms. But the key is keeping it truly open and not letting any single player dominate.
Love this focus on MSMEs! My mother runs a small spice business from home, and ONDC could help her reach customers beyond our locality. But they need to simplify the onboarding process—a lot of women entrepreneurs are not very tech-savvy. Maybe some workshops or local support centers would help. Kudos to the minister for pushing this! 😊
Good intentions, but I have reservations. ONDC sounds promising on paper, but we've seen similar initiatives like UPI
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