Srinagar, Nov 25: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) on Tuesday participated in a workshop on “Capacity Building and Export Promotion” organised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) at Srinagar.
As per a press release, KCCI was represented by its President, Javid Ahmad Tenga, along with several member exporters from the Valley.
The workshop was attended by Joint Director of DGFT, Utpal Kumar, Assistant Director General of DGFT, Aditya Singh Chauhan, officials from Jammu and Kashmir Bank, and representatives of FIEO.
Utpal Kumar detailed the Rs 25,060-crore Export Promotion Mission approved by the Central government, explaining the new incentives, export-supporting digital portals and opportunities arising from lower import duties abroad. He stressed that exporters must stay updated with global trends and utilise platforms such as Trade Connect, Indian Traders and the India Trade Portal. Assistant Director General of DGFT, Aditya Singh Chauhan, also spoke on the schemes for promotion of exports.
Speaking at the event, the President of KCCI, JavidTenga highlighted the urgent need to revive Kashmir’s traditional export sectors.
He said, “Kashmir is known throughout the world for tourism and handicrafts. However, our handicrafts have seen a decline in the last couple of years. In 2023–24 our exports were Rs 1,162 crore, which fell down to Rs 733 crore in 2024–25.”
President KCCI said that the decline from Rs 1,162 crore to Rs 733 crore reflects the stress on artisans, exporters and the wider handicraft trade, and KCCI has been working actively to restore growth and increase exports from Kashmir.
The President informed the DGFT officials that KCCI has already held meetings with the Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, and the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. He said that multiple challenges have emerged in recent years. After MEIS was converted to ROSCTL, an upper ceiling of Rs 438 was imposed on incentives, which has disadvantaged high-value handmade products. He stressed the need to revisit this ceiling and to introduce a separate HSN code for value-added shawls, which are handmade and require special protection to ensure artisanal sustainability. He said that KCCI has already submitted its detailed recommendations to the concerned Union Ministers.
During the workshop, the President requested DGFT to take up these recommendations on KCCI’s behalf. Joint Director DGFT, Utpal Kumar, assured the Chamber that DGFT will examine the issues once a detailed written representation is submitted.
The President also raised concern over the withdrawal of the Export Interest Subvention from 1 January 2025, which he said has adversely impacted exporters.
