Good News for a Change

Valley exports goods worth Rs 1100 crores annually

Bilal Hussain (Greater Kashmir)

Srinagar: Chairman, northern region, Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO) Dr R K Dhawan said at a press conference held on the concluding day of 3-day workshop on ‘marketing management in international business’ that 90 percent of the handicraft wood items were being exported form Kashmir, the Valley had huge potential for exports but the inadequate infrastructure was proving the impediment.

“There is huge manpower in the Valley that could be utilized to strengthen exports,” he said, adding that brand Kashmir with respect to the products of saffron, shawls and other goods should be projected and promoted across the world.

Faculty member, Entrepreneur Development Institute Srinagar, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, said the Valley exported goods worth Rs 1100 crore annually.

The Development Programme (EMDP) on “Market Development Management in International Business” was organized by the J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in collaboration with FIEO, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

“The government of India should extend the IT exemptions to the exporters of Kashmir to promote exports of wood items,” Dr Dhawan said. "Such exemptions under 10A and 10B Income Tax Act are already being given to the exporters in Saharanpur and Jodpur."

Dr Dhawan who was the chief guest on the occasion said the government of India should initiate barter trade with Pakistan through the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PAK) as it was doing with neighboring countries.

The programme was in continuation to the series the EMDP holds across the whole of Northern India which has been scheduled to develop the clusters for exports with a broad objective of increasing the overall exports.

The FIEO chairman identified the sectors of tourism, horticulture and floriculture for having tremendous business potential.

At the valedictory function, Dr Dhawan distributed certificates among the participants.

While speaking on the occasion, the Director JKEDI Dr M I Parray lauded the support and cooperation extended by the government to the Institute.

According to the course coordinator Riyaz Ahmad Khan, during the programme, experts from IIFT interacted and made presentations on the issues like WTO, export and import policy, risk management, export documentation, global marketing framework and selection of markets. Riyaz said the participants found the programme very beneficial and suggested to organize such training programmes at regular intervals.