BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar: Thinking global the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reached an understanding with the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines to "institutionalize interaction between the two chambers" and explore possibility of having a joint business council.
President KCCI Dr Mubeen Shah told Greater Kashmir on phone that the Iranian chamber will be sending a draft memorandum of understanding through which the interaction between both the chambers will be institutionalized and once trade starts the possibility of having a joint business council will be explored.
To mention a chamber delegation headed by its president and among others joined by R A Quadri, director, handicrafts, J&K was in Iran from July 17 to 29, "to study the handicraft and carpet industry and explore possibility of having interaction with the trade bodies."
Dr Shah said the KCCI delegation had a detailed meeting with the representative of the Iranian chamber headed by Abdolreza R Hanjani, Director General. Among the participants were also members of the Iran-India business council.
Giving details Dr Shah said the Iranian side was apprised about the economic potential of Kashmir and the possibility of having trade with Kashmir once the LoC trade started through the land route. "We apprised them about the possibility of close interaction between the institutions like IICT and CDI in Kashmir and similar institutions in Iran," he said.
"The possibility of having tourists from Iran as well as the possibility of investment in power, potential industries like minerals and mines, horticulture was also discussed," he said. "The Iranian side while welcoming the initiative of the KCCI appraised the delegation of the possibility of trade between Kashmir and Iran which will need regular interaction between the two chambers," he said.
On a subsequent meeting held with some members the possibility of investing in the development of magnetite and bauxite deposits which Kashmir has and have not been exploited yet was discussed with an Iranian company offering to set up a joint venture in Kashmir in this regard once "we are able to apprise them the procedure and other details," he said.
"The possibility of having close interaction with the Iranian ministry of commerce in regard to exchange of artisans as well as designers in carpet manufacturing was offered by the representative of the ministry Ali Malaki Jou in the meeting," he said. "The possibility of joint marketing of saffron was also discussed and interaction with respective traders and growers will be explored by both the chambers." In regard to horticulture the Iranian side offered to help Kashmir growers and traders to gain experience in production and processing. It may be noted that Iran produces almost all the fruits which Kashmir produces.
The possibility of export of fine textiles like shawls needs interaction between individual companies and the Iranian chamber will communicate to their members. The delegations also discussed the possibility of export from Kashmir. "There is a strong possibility of cumin and spices exports to Iran and this could be explored," Dr Shah said.
The KCCI delegation also had a meeting with the Iranian Carpet Exporters' Association. "We were apprised by our Iranian counterparts about the present state of the carpet industry in Iran," he said. To mention carpets are the second biggest exports of Iran after oil and gas.
The delegation also met managing director of Iran Carpet Company along with his executives which is a government organization with 24 branches within Iran and is a production as well as marketing company for carpets in the government sector. The KCCI was invited to participate in the next international carpet exhibition in Kish Island.
The KCCI delegation also had a meeting with the office bearers of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines headed by their president M Eslamian.
The Isfahan chamber appraised the delegation that Isfahan is the second biggest city in Iran as well as the second largest industrial centre in Iran and is also called the art capital of Iran. "They were very enthusiastic about tourism to Kashmir and requested for more details in regard to investment opportunities in the industrial sector," he said.
"The two chambers – KCCI and Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines – signed a memorandum of understanding for a period of two years in the first instance to explore avenues and possibilities for the trade between Kashmir and Iran," he said.
He said: "The visit to Iran was an eye opener for the KCCI delegation which felt that there is not only potential for trade between Iran and Kashmir but also a dire need for close interaction between the trading communities of Kashmir and Iran and particularly between those who are in the carpet and handicraft industry."
"The KCCI delegation is optimistic that if the practice followed by the Iranian carpet industry is followed by Kashmiri manufacturers and traders also, it will go a long way to make our carpet industry better," Dr Shah said.
Srinagar: Thinking global the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reached an understanding with the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines to "institutionalize interaction between the two chambers" and explore possibility of having a joint business council.
President KCCI Dr Mubeen Shah told Greater Kashmir on phone that the Iranian chamber will be sending a draft memorandum of understanding through which the interaction between both the chambers will be institutionalized and once trade starts the possibility of having a joint business council will be explored.
To mention a chamber delegation headed by its president and among others joined by R A Quadri, director, handicrafts, J&K was in Iran from July 17 to 29, "to study the handicraft and carpet industry and explore possibility of having interaction with the trade bodies."
Dr Shah said the KCCI delegation had a detailed meeting with the representative of the Iranian chamber headed by Abdolreza R Hanjani, Director General. Among the participants were also members of the Iran-India business council.
Giving details Dr Shah said the Iranian side was apprised about the economic potential of Kashmir and the possibility of having trade with Kashmir once the LoC trade started through the land route. "We apprised them about the possibility of close interaction between the institutions like IICT and CDI in Kashmir and similar institutions in Iran," he said.
"The possibility of having tourists from Iran as well as the possibility of investment in power, potential industries like minerals and mines, horticulture was also discussed," he said. "The Iranian side while welcoming the initiative of the KCCI appraised the delegation of the possibility of trade between Kashmir and Iran which will need regular interaction between the two chambers," he said.
On a subsequent meeting held with some members the possibility of investing in the development of magnetite and bauxite deposits which Kashmir has and have not been exploited yet was discussed with an Iranian company offering to set up a joint venture in Kashmir in this regard once "we are able to apprise them the procedure and other details," he said.
"The possibility of having close interaction with the Iranian ministry of commerce in regard to exchange of artisans as well as designers in carpet manufacturing was offered by the representative of the ministry Ali Malaki Jou in the meeting," he said. "The possibility of joint marketing of saffron was also discussed and interaction with respective traders and growers will be explored by both the chambers." In regard to horticulture the Iranian side offered to help Kashmir growers and traders to gain experience in production and processing. It may be noted that Iran produces almost all the fruits which Kashmir produces.
The possibility of export of fine textiles like shawls needs interaction between individual companies and the Iranian chamber will communicate to their members. The delegations also discussed the possibility of export from Kashmir. "There is a strong possibility of cumin and spices exports to Iran and this could be explored," Dr Shah said.
The KCCI delegation also had a meeting with the Iranian Carpet Exporters' Association. "We were apprised by our Iranian counterparts about the present state of the carpet industry in Iran," he said. To mention carpets are the second biggest exports of Iran after oil and gas.
The delegation also met managing director of Iran Carpet Company along with his executives which is a government organization with 24 branches within Iran and is a production as well as marketing company for carpets in the government sector. The KCCI was invited to participate in the next international carpet exhibition in Kish Island.
The KCCI delegation also had a meeting with the office bearers of Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines headed by their president M Eslamian.
The Isfahan chamber appraised the delegation that Isfahan is the second biggest city in Iran as well as the second largest industrial centre in Iran and is also called the art capital of Iran. "They were very enthusiastic about tourism to Kashmir and requested for more details in regard to investment opportunities in the industrial sector," he said.
"The two chambers – KCCI and Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines – signed a memorandum of understanding for a period of two years in the first instance to explore avenues and possibilities for the trade between Kashmir and Iran," he said.
He said: "The visit to Iran was an eye opener for the KCCI delegation which felt that there is not only potential for trade between Iran and Kashmir but also a dire need for close interaction between the trading communities of Kashmir and Iran and particularly between those who are in the carpet and handicraft industry."
"The KCCI delegation is optimistic that if the practice followed by the Iranian carpet industry is followed by Kashmiri manufacturers and traders also, it will go a long way to make our carpet industry better," Dr Shah said.
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