The Biz Reporter
Srinagar:
President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I), Javid Ahmad Tenga, today held meetings with senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), raising key concerns confronting exporters from Jammu & Kashmir and seeking measures to revive and promote the region’s export sector.
During his meeting with the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Ms Kapil Choudhary, the KCC&I President highlighted the declining trend in exports from Jammu & Kashmir and drew attention to the challenges being faced by exporters, particularly those associated with the region’s traditional export sectors.
He specifically raised concerns relating to Pashmina, handicrafts and other traditional products, stressing the need for focused policy interventions and greater institutional support to restore the competitiveness of these sectors and expand their presence in international markets.
The KCC&I President also apprised the Joint Secretary of the Chamber’s efforts to promote the participation of exporters from Jammu & Kashmir in national and international exhibitions and trade fairs. He informed her that KCC&I has already applied with the DGFT for participation in various fairs and exhibitions and requested that the applications be considered favourably and the necessary support be provided to enable exporters from the region to participate.
He emphasised that participation in such platforms provides exporters an important opportunity to showcase handicrafts and other products of Jammu & Kashmir, establish direct links with international buyers, explore new markets and strengthen the region’s export potential. He stressed that institutional support for participation in these fairs would be particularly important at a time when exports from the region have been witnessing a decline.
The KCC&I President also sought greater coordination and support from the Ministry of Commerce and DGFT for expanding market access, promoting traditional products and creating new opportunities for exporters from Jammu & Kashmir.
In a separate meeting with Abhinav Gupta, Additional Director General, DGFT, the KCC&I President raised the difficulties being faced by exporters from Jammu & Kashmir in obtaining Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoOs).
The Chamber pointed out that following the India-Oman Free Trade Agreement, exporters from J&K have been facing considerable hassles due to delays in the issuance of Preferential CoOs. Since these certificates are required to avail preferential tariff benefits, delays can affect the timely movement of export consignments and the ability of exporters to benefit from the trade agreement.
The KCC&I President requested that an office be kept operational at DGFT Ludhiana for handling the issuance of Preferential CoOs for Kashmir consignments from October 2026 to March 2027, coinciding with the peak export season.
The Additional Director General, DGFT, assured the KCC&I President that the DGFT Ludhiana office would be kept operational during the period to facilitate the issuance of Preferential CoOs for Kashmir consignments. The assurance is expected to provide significant relief to exporters from the region, particularly during the peak season when shipment volumes increase substantially.
The KCC&I President expressed appreciation to the senior officials for giving time to the Chamber and for their constructive consideration of the issues raised.
The Chamber said it would continue its engagement with the concerned authorities to seek measures aimed at strengthening Jammu & Kashmir’s exports, supporting traditional sectors such as Pashmina and handicrafts, facilitating participation in national and international trade fairs, and creating greater access to domestic and international markets.
