The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Kashmir Chapter has expanded and strengthened its organisational structure with the constitution of a new core team and an advisory and coordination mechanism aimed at ensuring wider representation of the trading community across J&K.
The move is intended to take CAIT’s trader-focused initiatives to the grassroots and establish a structured platform through which issues, suggestions and concerns of traders from different districts and markets can be represented before the concerned authorities.
The chapter will be headed by Farhan Kitab as President, while Peer Imtiyaz Ul Hassan has been appointed Secretary General. The executive committee comprises Omer Bhat as Senior Vice President, Parvez Ahmad Bhat as Additional General Secretary, Farooq Ahmad Rangrez as Treasurer and Mohammad Altaf Dar as Publicity Head. To strengthen regional representation, Tariq Ahmad Magaloo has been appointed Vice President for North Kashmir, Mohammad Shafi Vice President for South Kashmir and Wasim Afrooz Vice President for Central Kashmir.
Mohammad Ashraf Ganie has been appointed Chief Coordinator, while Fayaz Ahmad Wani will serve as District President, Pulwama, and Spokesperson.
Speaking about the organisational expansion, CAIT Kashmir Chapter President Farhan Kitab said the objective was to build a stronger, more inclusive and responsive organisation that remained connected with traders at every level.
“Our strength lies in our unity. Every trader, whether from a major market or a small town, must have a voice and a platform. Through this expanded structure, we want to ensure that the concerns of traders reach the right forums systematically and effectively. We will work collectively to find solutions and create new opportunities for the business community of J&K,” Kitab said.
He said the new team would focus on strengthening district-level coordination, empowering market associations, addressing issues faced by traders, improving the ease of doing business, facilitating dialogue with government authorities and creating opportunities for the growth of trade and commerce in Jammu & Kashmir.
Kitab also highlighted the potential of Jammu & Kashmir in sectors including handicrafts, handloom, horticulture, saffron, dry fruits and tourism. He said greater efforts were needed to provide local businesses with improved market access, branding, technology and opportunities in national and international markets.
He reiterated that the CAIT Kashmir Chapter remained committed to the vision of “Vocal for Local, Local to Global”, with a focus on empowering MSMEs, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, artisans and traditional businesses and helping them become more competitive in the national and global marketplace.
“We want to transform the trading community from being merely a stakeholder into an active partner in Jammu & Kashmir’s economic development. CAIT Kashmir will continue to work as a bridge between traders, industry and the government, while ensuring that no trader or market is left behind,” Kitab added.
