Meghalaya’s indigenous products are drawing international attention, with buyers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and other markets expressing interest in local turmeric, bamboo products, spices, skincare items and traditional beverages at the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) 2.0 in Shillong.
Organised by the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Meghalaya, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, the event brought together local entrepreneurs and international buyers to explore export opportunities and establish business linkages.
A buyer from the United Kingdom, who visited the meet to source Lakadong turmeric for the nutritional supplements industry, said he was particularly interested in the variety’s curcumin content, which he said exceeded 8%.
“I need a pharma-grade turmeric. I am ready to buy their product, provided they give me the proper documentation, because document speaks,” he said, adding that he had discussed with local producers how they could upgrade their products to meet the requirements of specialised markets.
The buyer expressed confidence that the interactions would lead to business, while emphasising the importance of quality standards and proper documentation in accessing international markets.
S. Taneja, a buyer from the Netherlands, praised the arrangements made for the event and expressed interest in several products manufactured in Meghalaya, including spices, wines, bamboo-based goods and locally produced beer.
“I am very impressed with all the arrangements made by FIEO and the products being produced in Shillong and Meghalaya,” he said, expressing interest in taking selected products to Europe.
Taneja also called for the regular organisation of such meets, saying they provided buyers with an opportunity to interact directly with artisans and producers, understand product quality and explore potential business partnerships. He identified bamboo products as his personal favourite.
In another development, an international buyer interested in skincare products and ready-made garments said the visit had resulted in the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs), one for soaps and another for essential oils.
The buyer said several products displayed at the meet were impressive in terms of quality and finish, although the availability of ready-made garments was limited.
Meanwhile, local entrepreneur Kennan K. Marak, founder of Seven United Rice Beer, said the event had helped his enterprise gain valuable insights into export procedures and international market requirements.
The company produces handcrafted carbonated rice beer inspired by the traditional beverage of the Garo tribe, with bottled and canned variants.
Marak said his participation had been particularly useful in understanding the export business and interacting with experts who could guide entrepreneurs on market access and regulatory requirements.
“We want to explore the opportunities and take this traditional rice beer, which is from the Garo tribe, and make it international,” he said.
He also announced that the company had signed an MoU with a company from Kenya, marking a step towards exploring overseas markets for the traditional beverage.
The interactions at RBSM 2.0 highlighted the growing interest in Meghalaya’s distinctive products and the opportunities available to local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Buyers’ feedback also underscored the need for producers to focus on consistent quality, certification, documentation and market-specific requirements to convert initial interest into sustained export orders.
The meet aims to strengthen connections between local producers and international buyers, helping Meghalaya’s enterprises expand their reach beyond domestic markets and take the state’s traditional products and craftsmanship to a global audience.