Leh, March 27: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), with support from the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME) under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has launched a two-day National Level Intellectual Property (IP) Yatra programme in Leh, aimed at strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Held on March 26–27, 2026, the initiative seeks to promote innovation, create awareness about intellectual property rights, and protect the region’s traditional knowledge and indigenous products.
More than 150 participants, including MSMEs, start-ups, innovators, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs, attended the programme. Senior officials from the Industries Department, experts in intellectual property rights (IPR), faculty members from the University of Ladakh, and representatives from the tourism sector also participated in the event.
The inaugural session was attended by Tashi Gyalson as chief guest. In his address, Gyalson appreciated PHDCCI and the MSME Ministry for bringing a national-level IP initiative to Ladakh and highlighted the importance of intellectual property tools such as patents, trademarks, and Geographical Indications (GIs) in safeguarding the region’s cultural and economic assets.
He said systematic IP protection would help ensure that economic benefits from Ladakh’s handicrafts, agro-based products, the Amchi system of medicine, astrology, and tourism services reach local communities. Gyalson also referred to the success of securing a GI tag for Pashmina, describing it as a precedent for other regional products.
The event was also attended by Ghulam Mehdi and Norboo Wangchuk as guests of honour.
During the technical session, Mohd Ashraf Bhat urged local MSMEs to identify traditional products suitable for GI registration. He also highlighted key central schemes aimed at supporting enterprises, including the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance Scheme and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, encouraging entrepreneurs to take advantage of these initiatives.
In his welcome address, Jatinder Singh underlined the importance of holding the IP Yatra in Ladakh and reiterated the chamber’s commitment to supporting MSMEs through seminars, workshops, and IP Facilitation Centers. He also announced plans to establish a dedicated IP Facilitation Center in Ladakh to provide ongoing support to innovators and enterprises in the region.
Following the inaugural session, several technical discussions were conducted by experts, including Indraneil Choudhary, Zainab Syed, Kailash Bharti Goswami, Dawa Wangmo, Shahid Khan, Sameena Iqbal, and Jigmet Stobdan. The sessions focused on patents, trademarks, GI processes, patent informatics, commercialization, and IP-led enterprise development.
Officials also highlighted schemes of the Small Industries Development Bank of India, with a presentation by Iqbal Fayaz Jan on financial and institutional support available to MSMEs in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
On the second day, discussions focused on IP enforcement, patent opposition procedures, and infringement-related issues. Presentations were delivered by Indraneil Choudhary, Shahid Khan, and Professor Dawa Wangmo, while Iqbal Fayaz Jan explained the process of GI tagging and its importance for regional products.
A dedicated IP Helpdesk Camp was also organised during the programme, providing MSMEs, start-ups, and innovators with personalised guidance on intellectual property registration and filing procedures.
Organisers said the successful completion of the National IP Yatra reflects a joint effort by PHDCCI, the MSME Ministry, and local stakeholders to position Ladakh as an emerging hub of innovation, where traditional heritage and modern entrepreneurship can grow under a stronger intellectual property framework.
