Today, June 2nd, at the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) in Srinagar, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) met with the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan.
According to a statement released by the participants, the meeting was arranged by Managing Director JKTPO Khalid Jahangir. Javed Ahmad Tenga, president of the KCCI, was assisted by Ashaq Shangloo, senior vice president, Faiz Bakshi, secretary general, and Lateef Ahmad Bhat, a member of the EC.
According to the statement, “the team brought the matter of holding market promotion exhibitions/ fairs/marts/road shows for marketing and promotion of Handicrafts, Carpets, Shawls, tourism, direct air connectivity between Kashmir and Saudia, export of horticulture.”
The group also asked the ambassador to assist set up meetings between potential buyers and sellers of Kashmiri goods that are already in demand in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, as well as meetings with local chambers of commerce.
It said, “The KCCI sought Ambassador’s assistance in organising a Tourism FAM Tour from Saudi to showcase the unparalleled natural beauty and landscape of Kashmir in an effort to attract tourists from that country.”
Since there are no direct flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia, the KCCI raised this issue to the notice of the Ambassador. Every year, over 50,000 pilgrims from Kashmir do Umrah.
It was hoped that with his assistance, the issue might be raised at the proper level, bringing welcome relief to pilgrims everywhere. It claimed that “the President of the KCCI updated the Ambassador on the organization’s ongoing cooperation with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce on investment and related matters.”
According to the statement, the Ambassador acknowledged the concerns highlighted by the KCCI and pledged the assistance of the Indian Embassy and the Counsel General in advancing the interests of local companies.
