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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 7 (EMN): An e-commerce platform, YellowChain, which was recently announced by Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (Idan) seeks to empower traders by providing them an opportunity to do business more efficiently.
The CEO of IDAN, Alemtemshi Jamir, told Eastern Mirror that the YellowChain was basically to help the people carry on with their business.
"It is just to link up our marketing and business together so that people who are doing small scale services have an opportunity to come to the market,” Jamir said.
He pointed out that Nagas have a very poor economy. In addition, majority of the people are indulging in retail. These retailers were "badly affected" in the last five months due to the pandemic-induced lockdown and they can hardly sell anything, he added.
Seeing the situation, the Idan came up with the idea of introducing this ‘new concept of marketing platform’ so that people can register with YellowChain and carry out their business.
He was of the opinion that Naga economy has to go online but at the same time ‘one doesn't want to take away the business of the commoners’. Therefore, YellowChain was introduced to bridge that gap.
"We only hope that we will be able to put it in place", Jamir said.
Business model
Sharing about the business model, he said that Idan is trying to get a group of people on board to start running the backroom offices in the district headquarters.
These people will go around and help the people register with YellowChain. Those who are registered with the platform have to pay a little amount of money to this group of people for helping them, he added.
Who can apply?
As for the registration, any shopkeeper, trader, skilled individual in any field, etc., can register with YellowChain. It is not limited to local entrepreneurs or local traders alone.
In fact it would be to their benefit to register with this e-commerce platform, he said.
"We are basically trying to empower our own shopkeepers to do business efficiently and to give employment," Jamir said.
He said that they require a lot of services starting from barbers, plumbers, electrician, big business establishments etc. 'But, we don't really have the access to those people who have the skills. If these people can get registered on the website, one can connect with them and they can provide the services,’ Jamir said.
He pointed out that big e-commerce companies are taking away the business. They are buying from big brands and selling them to the people, creating no place for local traders.
How customers can benefit
People can screen through the shops on e-commerce based on their requirements and locality. Once they have identified their requirements, they can contact them and avail the services or buy things directly from the shop.
During Covid-19 and even post-Covid, such services will be useful for everybody, he added.
Around 6000 queries have been received and registration has started. He is hopeful that people will come forward to register with YellowChain.
About 900 linked up
Jamir informed that about 800 to 900 people have linked up with the platform already. About 600 to 700 establishments have already registered in Kohima, Jamir said, adding that response is quite encouraging.
Many people, particularly youngsters have come back home during this pandemic, leaving their jobs in cities.
The officer said that these returnees will have some expertise and hope that they will come forward and link with YellowChain.
The project will be launched within a week or two.