The 12th Board of Directors (BoDs) meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) was chaired by Commissioner/Secretary Industries and Commerce, Mr. Vikramjit Singh, at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
The meeting focused on approving the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, with a strong emphasis on export promotion, investment promotion, investor facilitation, and building the brand of J&K.
Managing Director of JKTPO, Mr. Khalid Jahangir, presented the meeting’s agenda and provided updates on the progress made in implementing previous board decisions. The board members engaged in discussions on various agenda items and approved the component-wise activity plan of JKTPO for FY 2023-24, amounting to INR 30 crore. The approved amount will be utilized for export promotion, investment promotion, investor facilitation, and overall enhancement of trade and commerce activities in J&K.
During the meeting, Commissioner/Secretary Mr. Vikramjit Singh emphasized the need to focus on investment promotion and facilitation activities in J&K. He highlighted the pivotal role that JKTPO will play in executing these activities and urged the organization to strengthen the Investor Facilitation Cell already established within JKTPO.
This cell is dedicated to assisting existing and prospective investors through a Single Window Portal.
In a significant decision, the board approved the organization of a Mega Trade Fair in Srinagar, in collaboration with ITPO. This trade fair is expected to attract leading buyers and exhibitors from across the country and the globe. It will be an annual event aimed at showcasing the trade potential of J&K.
The board also approved the flagship program of JKTPO, “Hausla Batch-2nd,” which focuses on mentoring and training women entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to empower and support women in business and foster their entrepreneurial growth. Efforts will be made to identify beneficiaries from each district and provide training in their respective districts to ensure equitable growth of women entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the board emphasized the importance of start-up promotion activities and brand promotion for products originating from J&K. The organization aims to create a favorable environment for local entrepreneurs and enhance the visibility and reputation of J&K products in national and international markets.
To facilitate international trade opportunities, the board approved the participation of J&K-based exporters in six international events for FY 2023-24. A transparent selection process, based on objective evaluation criteria, will be followed to shortlist and nominate exporters for these events.
The decisions made during the 12th Board meeting of JKTPO demonstrate the commitment of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to promote economic growth, attract investments, and enhance trade activities in the region. These initiatives aim to position J&K as an attractive investment destination and provide a platform for local businesses to thrive on national and international levels.
The meeting was attended by Board Directors, including Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director of Handicrafts & Handlooms Department, Kashmir, Tej Krishan Bhat, Special Secretary of Agriculture Production Department, Vikas Gupta, Director of Handicrafts & Handlooms Department, Jammu, Rakesh Kumar, Additional Secretary of Finance Department, and other representatives from various departments and organizations.
