The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Nov 25: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry today took part in a workshop on “Capacity Building and Export Promotion” organised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in Srinagar.
The Chamber was represented by its President, Javid Ahmad Tenga, along with a group of exporters from the Valley. The workshop was attended by Joint Director DGFT, Utpal Kumar, Assistant Director General DGFT, Aditya Singh Chauhan, officials from Jammu and Kashmir Bank, and representatives from FIEO.
Joint Director DGFT, Utpal Kumar, briefed participants on the ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission approved by the Central government. He outlined new incentives, export-oriented digital platforms and opportunities linked to reduced import duties abroad. He urged exporters to stay aligned with global market trends and make effective use of portals such as Trade Connect, Indian Traders and the India Trade Portal.
Assistant Director General DGFT, Aditya Singh Chauhan, also spoke on the schemes available for export promotion.
Addressing the workshop, KCCI President, Javid Ahmad Tenga, underlined the urgent need to revive Kashmir’s traditional export sectors. He said Kashmir’s globally recognised handicraft industry has witnessed a worrying decline, with exports dropping from Rs 1,162 crore in 2023–24 to Rs 733 crore in 2024–25. He said the downturn has severely affected artisans, exporters and the broader handicraft value chain, and that KCCI is working actively to restore growth.
He informed DGFT officials that KCCI has already met the Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, and the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, submitting detailed recommendations for reviving the handicraft sector, safeguarding artisan livelihoods and strengthening export competitiveness. He said that as India moves towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, Jammu and Kashmir must also contribute meaningfully, and KCCI has set a vision of raising Kashmir’s exports to Rs 5,000 crore in the next four to five years.
The President highlighted several challenges faced by exporters. After the shift from MEIS to ROSCTL, an upper ceiling of Rs 438 was imposed on incentives, which he said has hurt high-value handmade goods. He called for revisiting this cap and introducing a separate HSN code for value-added handmade shawls to ensure the sustainability of artisans. He said KCCI has already submitted its recommendations to the concerned Union ministers.
During the session, he requested DGFT to take up these issues on behalf of KCCI. Joint Director DGFT, Utpal Kumar, assured that the suggestions will be examined once a detailed written representation is submitted.
The President also expressed concern over the withdrawal of Export Interest Subvention from January 1, 2025, saying the move has adversely affected exporters. He noted that the new Export Promotion Mission includes a provision for interest subvention and urged that the benefit be given retrospective effect from the date the earlier scheme was withdrawn.
He said DGFT, as the nodal implementing agency for the Export Promotion Mission, must ensure that Kashmiri exporters get stronger visibility in major international exhibitions so that Kashmir’s handicrafts reclaim their global stature.
He added that once the Export Promotion Scheme becomes operational, KCCI will organise a seminar in Srinagar to educate startups and exporters about the scheme’s benefits and guide them on availing incentives in coordination with DGFT and banks.
KCCI reaffirmed its commitment to reviving Kashmir’s handicraft sector, boosting exports and ensuring artisans and businesses receive the support needed to compete in global markets.
