KCCI delegation meets Commissioner I&C to address Kashmir’s industrial challenges

Srinagar, May 08: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) led by its President, Javid Ahmad Tenga, held an interactive session with Commissioner of Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh here on Tuesday.
The KCCI team comprising Senior Vice President Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, Secretary General Faiz Bakshi, EC members Mohammad Lateef Bhat and Bilal Ahmad Bhat, held constructive discussions with various stakeholders, including the Director of SICOP, the Director of Industries and Commerce, the Managing Director of JKTPO, and other key officers from the Industries & Commerce and Handicrafts departments, the chamber said in a press release issued here.
The deliberations, according to the KCCI, centred on several critical issues affecting the industrial landscape of Kashmir:
Upgrading of GI Tagging Infrastructure: The KCCI highlighted the urgent need for the enhancement of GI tagging infrastructure to meet the escalating demand for GI-tagged Pashmina and related items worldwide. Concerns were raised regarding the sluggish pace of GI certification due to limited infrastructure and manpower, leading to delays in exporting merchandise. The Commissioner assured immediate action to expedite GI certification processes for shipments exportable under Letter of Credit.
HSN Code of Shawls: Discussions centered on the HSN Code of Pashmina and other value-added shawls, with the KCCI advocating for a revision to adequately cover Pashmina and other Kashmiri shawls. The Commissioner pledged support for the KCCI’s endeavors at the appropriate level.
Industrial Expansion: Various aspects of industrial expansion, including infrastructure development in newly identified estates, land allotment policies, NOC issuance under a single-window system, and modification of ranking policies for land allotment based on employability, were deliberated upon. The KCCI emphasized the need for policy continuity and rehabilitation measures for sick units, alongside proposals for incentivizing green energy adoption and reservations for startups in industrial estates.
The Commissioner briefed the KCCI team about the government’s initiatives, including the Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP) program, aimed at bolstering productivity and competitiveness among MSMEs, the statement said, adding that he assured the KCCI of the government’s commitment to providing marketing assistance and exploring partnerships with financial institutions like NBFCs to diversify financial support for industrial units.
The KCCI President commended the Commissioner for his proactive approach in addressing the concerns of the industry and handicrafts sectors and expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts yielding positive outcomes for economic development in Jammu and Kashmir.