New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday asked Amazon to adopt and develop some of the digital villages his ministry is setting up in the country.

He also asked the US company to take articles made by artisans and Ayurvedic products to global markets through its eCommerce platform.

"Ministry of IT is setting up several digital villages. Amazon can pick up a few villages in India develop them as truly digital villages, "Prasad said in a post in microblogging site Koo.

"Amazon should also work with small local shops and make them a stakeholder in the larger efforts of Amazon to grow its business, " he added.

Urging Amazon to take Indian products to global market, he said, "Amazon is a global company but Amazon India must evolve as a truly India company deeply connected with Indian business community and culture."

Prasad was holding a virtual meeting with Amazon's India head Amit Agarwal.

After the meeting, Amazon India announced that it would start manufacturing of electronics products at a plant in Chennai.

Amazon initially will start manufacturing of Amazon Fire TV sticks.

Minister Prasad said India is an attractive investment destination and is poised to become a major player in the global supply chain in the electronics and IT products industry.

The government’s decision to launch a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme has received tremendous response globally.

"We welcome Amazon’s decision to set up a manufacturing line in Chennai, as it will enhance domestic production capacities, and create jobs as well. This will further our mission of creating an AatmaNirbhar Bharat which is digitally empowered,” he said.

Amazon will commence its manufacturing efforts with contract manufacturer Cloud Network Technology, a subsidiary of Foxconn, in Chennai and start production later this year.

The company said it will continuously evaluate scaling capacity to additional marketplaces depending on the domestic demand.

UNI SRJ SHK2039