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Srinagar, Aug 1: In a rare show of business diplomacy aimed at bridging regional economies, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) landed in Gujarat this week for a high-powered meeting with the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), pitching Jammu and Kashmir as a viable investment destination beyond its traditional image.
The session, chaired by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and backed by his administration, focused on drawing private investment into key sectors including solar energy, tourism, IT, handicrafts, horticulture, and electric mobility. Officials and industry leaders described the initiative as a shift from token engagements to a structured economic outreach targeting India’s industrial south.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed that the time had come to turn goodwill and agreements into tangible outcomes. “The sectors we are focusing on—clean energy, IT infrastructure, electric mobility—are not distant dreams. They are actionable and mutually beneficial. Our administration is committed to facilitating serious investors through a dedicated single-window mechanism,” he said.
Omar also underlined that such economic initiatives must be rooted in long-term relationships, not just short-term gains. “Economic cooperation must walk hand in hand with cultural understanding and people-to-people contact. Only then will it be sustainable,” he remarked.
KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga told Greater Kashmir that this engagement is a continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two chambers in 2023. “This is a partnership built on mutual respect and shared economic aspirations. Our objective is to move from dialogue to delivery,” Tenga said.
He said that the MoU had identified specific areas of cooperation, including handicrafts, horticulture, tourism, IT infrastructure, solar energy, industrial investments, and cultural exchange. “We believe this collaboration can help overcome regional economic handicaps and open up new markets for Kashmiri artisans and entrepreneurs,” Tenga added.
He pointed out that Kashmiri businesses, especially in traditional sectors like handicrafts and horticulture, needed better access to high-volume markets and investment support to scale. “This is where Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem and Kashmir’s natural and creative assets can complement each other,” he said.
SGCCI President Ramesh Vaghasia said his chamber, with its presence in 84 countries, is eager to build lasting business ties with the Valley. “We’re actively exploring direct investments in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the areas of solar energy, data centres, IT parks, and electric mobility,” he said.
He further announced that the J&K Government and KCCI have been formally invited to participate in the *Global Investment and Tourism Expo* to be held in Surat from August 23 to 25. “This will be a global platform for Kashmir to showcase its strengths—in tourism, handicrafts, and agri-based industries,” Vaghasia said, adding that SGCCI would facilitate business-to-business linkages, retail platforms, and buyer-seller meets.
The Chief Minister appreciated the invitation and described the Expo as a timely opportunity for Kashmir to project itself as an investment-ready region. He also commended both chambers for their foresight in initiating a structured partnership. “This isn’t just about trade figures. It’s about jobs, livelihoods, and dignity for our people,” he noted.
Senior officials accompanying the Chief Minister included Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Farooq Ahmad Shah (Gulmarg) and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo (Pahalgam), and Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta.
The KCCI delegation included Secretary General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Joint Secretary General Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, Executive Committee Members Amir Manzoor Guna and Muhammad Ibrahim Siah, as well as noted hotelier and entrepreneur Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya.
As the meeting drew to a close, both chambers agreed to form joint sectoral task groups to follow up on specific investment proposals and prepare for the Surat Expo.
While many such dialogues in the past have remained confined to paperwork, the tone and substance of this engagement—especially with the presence of the Chief Minister—signal a more serious attempt to plug Kashmir into national investment circuits.
President KCCI said, “This is no longer about just being heard. It’s about being part of the national growth story—with our identity and strength intact.”
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