BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar: Kashmir Economic Front, an amalgam of business chamber, industrialists and traders, is working on short and long term plans to make valley’s economy self reliant. In the wake of the economic blockade of Kashmir, Valley’s traders’ organizations decided to form a joint coordination committee under the banner of Kashmir Economic Front (KEF). The front will take stock of emerging economic situation in the Valley and will soon be out with strategies for trade, commerce and industry. President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Mubeen Shah told Greater Kashmir that the front is currently working on formation of strategies so as to make Kashmir self-sustain on every façade. Jammu and Kashmir is a consumer state and Valley is dependent on imported goods both food and non-food items. “The front would look at all economic sectors where the Valley is dependent on outside states for imports and in accordance would formulate strategy to reduce it,” said Dr Shah. “We had earlier meeting with apex business bodies wherein we unanimously decided for formulation of the lasting strategies for strengthen our economic teethes,” he said. The Front would look at all aspects of the Valley economy like agriculture, horticulture, secondary sectors and tertiary sectors as well, said Dr Shah. President Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalander, said the economic blockade to the Valley by hooligans from Jammu has forced industrialists to seek for fiscal sovereignty. “FCIK seeks clarification from the Jammu Chamber and industrial associations over the call given by VHP leader Dinesh Bharati to stop supplies to the Valley as well as boycott Kashmiri goods,” said Qalander. Meanwhile, he said the Front shall come out with future course of action very soon. The Valley economists too are part of the Front. Noted economist and Dean, Social Sciences Kashmir University, Prof Nissar Ali favours mobilizing internal resource within the state. “J&K has enough potential to mobilize internal resources and make the state economical independent.” The Front would workout the modalities for financial autonomy of the Valley. “Our state has an 80 per cent financial dependency on the aid and subsidies from New Delhi. The state is miserably trapped in debt, need of the hour is to be financially self-sufficient,” he said. “We should work hard to balance the import-export basket of the Valley.” “We have so many productive sectors in the Valley like handicrafts, floriculture, horticulture, and Hydel power and likes.” “If we will take the case of Hydel power, this sector has enormous potential which can generate huge amount of revenue for the Valley,” he said. “Outside companies have a huge market base over here these companies should have their C & F agencies in the Valley,” said a trader. KEF comprises Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA), Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers’ Federation (KTMF), Houseboat Owners’ Association (HOA), Kashmir Transporters’ Federation (KTF) and Kashmir Flourmills Association (KFA).
Srinagar: Kashmir Economic Front, an amalgam of business chamber, industrialists and traders, is working on short and long term plans to make valley’s economy self reliant. In the wake of the economic blockade of Kashmir, Valley’s traders’ organizations decided to form a joint coordination committee under the banner of Kashmir Economic Front (KEF). The front will take stock of emerging economic situation in the Valley and will soon be out with strategies for trade, commerce and industry. President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Mubeen Shah told Greater Kashmir that the front is currently working on formation of strategies so as to make Kashmir self-sustain on every façade. Jammu and Kashmir is a consumer state and Valley is dependent on imported goods both food and non-food items. “The front would look at all economic sectors where the Valley is dependent on outside states for imports and in accordance would formulate strategy to reduce it,” said Dr Shah. “We had earlier meeting with apex business bodies wherein we unanimously decided for formulation of the lasting strategies for strengthen our economic teethes,” he said. The Front would look at all aspects of the Valley economy like agriculture, horticulture, secondary sectors and tertiary sectors as well, said Dr Shah. President Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalander, said the economic blockade to the Valley by hooligans from Jammu has forced industrialists to seek for fiscal sovereignty. “FCIK seeks clarification from the Jammu Chamber and industrial associations over the call given by VHP leader Dinesh Bharati to stop supplies to the Valley as well as boycott Kashmiri goods,” said Qalander. Meanwhile, he said the Front shall come out with future course of action very soon. The Valley economists too are part of the Front. Noted economist and Dean, Social Sciences Kashmir University, Prof Nissar Ali favours mobilizing internal resource within the state. “J&K has enough potential to mobilize internal resources and make the state economical independent.” The Front would workout the modalities for financial autonomy of the Valley. “Our state has an 80 per cent financial dependency on the aid and subsidies from New Delhi. The state is miserably trapped in debt, need of the hour is to be financially self-sufficient,” he said. “We should work hard to balance the import-export basket of the Valley.” “We have so many productive sectors in the Valley like handicrafts, floriculture, horticulture, and Hydel power and likes.” “If we will take the case of Hydel power, this sector has enormous potential which can generate huge amount of revenue for the Valley,” he said. “Outside companies have a huge market base over here these companies should have their C & F agencies in the Valley,” said a trader. KEF comprises Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA), Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers’ Federation (KTMF), Houseboat Owners’ Association (HOA), Kashmir Transporters’ Federation (KTF) and Kashmir Flourmills Association (KFA).
No comments:
Post a Comment