Srinagar, Dec 17: Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade, Amit Kumar Wednesday said that Jammu and Kashmir has not shown significant growth in exports as compared to national level export growth.
He said J&K’s exports constitute a meagre 0.1 per cent of total foreign trade of India.
Speaking at a seminar on Foreign Trade organized by Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir at a local hotel here, Kumar said: “India has overall export volume of Rs 18 lakh crore, out of which JK’s share is of a paultry Rs 2,000 crore,” he said, adding that India has done well in the export sector by adopting the method of diversification.
Stating that Kashmir has huge potential in export sector, Kumar urged the Valley-based exporters to add more and more products to their export basked..
“Given the rich history of art in the state, there is every likelihood that J&K’s export sector could do wonders,” Kumar said.
He said: “Pre-1947 India was exporter of tea, coffee and agriculture products, but see now we export petroleum products, services, etc. which is because of diversification,”
Kumar stressed upon the Kashmir-based exporters to expand their range of products to increase the volume of foreign trade and also make their products competitive.
“In Kashmir agro-based products, handicraft and saffron have huge potential to capture global market, which would subsequently increase the export volume of Kashmir,” he said.
Kumar on the occasion informed the participants about numerous schemes launched by government of India and urged them to avail benefits of such schemes so that they become competitive on international market.
He said that more than 700 import and export licenses are being issued by the DGFT in the state.
President CCIK, Zahoor Ahmad Trumboo on the occasion said that there is a dire need of creating awareness about the export sector in the Valley.
“Unfortunately during last few decades due to political instability our export sector has suffered major setback, but as things are improving now there is chance of rebuilding this sector,” he said, adding that CCIK will continue to organize seminars and interactions to create awareness about the export sector.
Head, handicraft and foreign export trade committee of CCIK, Ali M Shirazi said there are plenty of schemes launched by the central government, but unfortunately due to lack of awareness “our exporters don’t avail those benefits.”
“If the foreign trade in Kashmir is fully exploited it could lead to an annual turnover of more than Rs 10,000 crore,” he said.
The seminar was attended by officials of Handicraft Department, members of CCIK, and young entrepreneurs.