Srinagar, May 21: The Chairman of the PHDCCI, A P Vicky Shaw, participated in a dynamic and fruitful meeting with Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, at the Kashmir Emporium. The meeting was hosted by Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Director of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, and Atul Sharma, MD of Kashmir Arts Emporium, along with representatives from other esteemed business organizations.
A myriad of insightful suggestions were shared and deliberated with Amitabh Kant to foster the sustainable development of the handicraft and handloom sector in Kashmir, the Chamber said in a press release issued here. Among the proposals discussed was the establishment of marketing linkages with leading designers in India to infuse modern design elements and enhance market connectivity in the textile, pashmina, and other craft sectors of Kashmir.
An innovative proposal suggested by Amitabh Kant was to organise the Art and Craft Biennale in Kashmir in a grand manner. This envisioned event would serve as a cultural platform for artisans in Kashmir to exchange scholarly and creative ideas on an international stage.
“Deliberations also focused on the GST slab for carpets and pashmina, highlighting the labour-intensive nature of these crafts. It was recommended that a judicious tax slab of 1-5% would be more conducive to supporting the growth of these industries. Additionally, the urgent need to accredit the testing lab facility for pashmina in Srinagar was emphasized, aiming to streamline certification processes currently causing delays in export from Kashmir,” the PHDCCI said.
The meeting provided a conducive environment for stakeholders to put forth valuable suggestions, the Chamber said, adding that Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa, attentively listened to all concerns raised, swiftly addressing and resolving almost all issues and suggestions brought to light during the session.
The PHDCCI commended the efforts of the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir and the Industries and Commerce Department for organising this insightful interaction with Amitabh Kant. “The PHDCCI also celebrates the transformative impact of the GI recognition of various crafts of Kashmir and the introduction of QR codes by the Directorate of Handicrafts in revolutionizing the handicraft sector of Kashmir,” the press release added.
