E-commerce platform Meesho said on Wednesday it has integrated with the government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to help connect buyers with hyperlocal sellers.

The government is conducting ONDC pilots where all e-commerce ecosystem players will facilitate online purchases of goods and services at competitive prices, thereby reducing the cost burden on sellers and consumers.

Meesho’s pilot programme will be rolled out in Bengaluru and gradually rolled out to other locations in the coming months. This way, registered buyers on ONDC can access the list of products available on ONDC through Meesho.

“Our shared goal is to empower small sellers and drive the growth of hyperlocal businesses, and the integration will advance our efforts to democratise Internet commerce for everyone. We have been working closely with ONDC to ensure the integration is smooth and the user experience keeps it seamless,” Meesho founder and CEO Vidit Aatrey said in a statement.

He said ONDC would also play an important role in expanding India’s e-commerce sector by attracting more online consumers.

SoftBank-backed Meesho claims 80% of its 14 crore annual transaction customers are in second-tier cities and above. The company has more than 8 lakh registered sellers, about 40% of which are from second-tier and above cities.

“Meesho has always been focused on making e-commerce more inclusive, and the integration with ONDC will strengthen the company’s efforts in this direction,” the statement said.