Srinagar, Jan 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, underscoring Jammu & Kashmir as a secure and stable investment haven with strong economic fundamentals and transparency, urged potential investors to consider the Union Territory (UT).
Speaking at a seminar during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Sinha sought to dispel any misconceptions surrounding the economic landscape of the region. He emphasized the need for investors to explore the opportunities within the UT and assured them of its safety and stability.
Highlighting the key attributes that make J&K an attractive investment hub, Sinha pointed to its well-developed infrastructure, skilled labor force, easy access to raw materials, a plethora of incentives, a secure and supportive business environment, and a commitment to openness.
Sinha assured potential investors that their ventures in the UT would not only yield substantial profits but also contribute to the nation’s unity and integrity. He urged investors to view their investments in Jammu & Kashmir as an integral part of fortifying India’s integration.
“By investing in Jammu and Kashmir, you will get maximum profit and also contribute to connecting J&K with the rest of the country,” he added
The Lt Governor disclosed that the J&K Government has successfully secured Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at Rs 3,000 crore across various sectors during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, expressing optimism for increased investments in the near future.
Acknowledging Gujarat as the “gateway to the future,” as dubbed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sinha emphasized that nation’s “Sharda peeth,” J&K, should also benefit from state’s progress.
Sinha said that the situation in J&K, whose special status was removed by the Centre in 2019, would soon be identical to that in the rest of the nation, without mentioning Pakistan, and that the evil plans of India’s neighbour will fail.
“Terrorism is taking last breath in J&K. Our neighbour makes every effort, but we are working on eliminating terrorists and removing the whole terrorism ecosystem from the UT,” he said.
Contrary to misconceptions, Sinha cited National Crime Records Bureau statistics to underline that the crime rate in the UT is even lower than in Gujarat. He emphasized the government’s commitment, under PM Modi’s leadership, to establishing lasting peace in J&K.
“Under PM Modi’s leadership, the government believes in establishing peace permanently rather than buying it, and I am confident that in the coming years, the situation in J&K will be similar to that in the rest of the country,” he said.
Sinha highlighted significant changes in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370, citing increased tourist arrivals, particularly during India’s G20 presidency. He pointed out the potential for medical tourism in the region and outlined substantial developments in transportation infrastructure, including tunnels, roads, and increased flight connectivity.
“J&K is the only region where medical tourism may flourish. We have increased rail, road, and aviation connections in only three to four years. For tunnels and roads, development projects totaling Rs 1.5 lakh crore are now under progress. There are already 126 flights running in the area, up from 32 in 2020”, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor said that J&K is progressing toward industrialization due to PM Modi’s determination and commitment, and that all industry demands are being met.
Sinha shared positive indicators of growing interest in J&K, including a recent report that the region surpassed Switzerland as the most searched-for travel destination globally. He noted major urban development in Jammu and Srinagar, highlighting the unique distinction of housing elite educational institutions, making Jammu the sole city in this regard.
He said that there has been a major urban development in Jammu and Srinagar. Even Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata lack the distinction of housing all of the nation’s elite educational institutions, including IIT, IIM, AIIMS, and central university, which makes Jammu the sole city in this regard.
Speaking to reporters, Sinha emphasized the cost-effectiveness of electricity and the government’s commitment to offering substantial incentives for investors.
