Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 7 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared a glimpse of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he enjoyed a ‘shikara’ ride on Dal Lake and met various delegations ranging from business sectors and held discussions with them.
Union Minister Goyal met a delegation from Jammu-Kashmir Fruits and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and MSME Development Forum, Jammu-Kashmir and held detailed discussions with them.
The Union Minister also addressed the FTII: Traders Conclave 2025 in Srinagar.
In a social media post, Goyal shared a glimpse of him enjoying the shikara ride and captioned, “Heaven on Earth, our beautiful Jammu and Kashmir. Soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the majestic Dal Lake on a shikara. I went down memory lane today, feeling nostalgic.”
https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1941837828717257133
Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, “Even my Shikara’s name is Peace of Heaven. The peace I experience when I come to Dal Lake takes me back to my school days. I haven’t forgotten my childhood memories. God has given a heaven to the country.”
Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir took a hit after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
In another social media post, he wrote, “On the occasion of Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s birth anniversary, I addressed the FTII: Traders Conclave 2025 in Srinagar and honoured entrepreneurs with the ‘Business Jewel Award’.”
The Union Minister noted that Jammu-Kashmir is ‘rapidly’ progressing towards a developed India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister @NarendraModi, Jammu-Kashmir is rapidly progressing towards a developed India. The increase in tourist numbers, world-class infrastructure, business innovation, and cultural richness are proof of this. The trading community is the backbone of ‘Self-Reliant India’. The government is not only encouraging them through initiatives like PM Vishwakarma, ODOP, GeM, and ONDC but is also making business simpler, more inclusive, and globally competitive by promoting Vocal for Local,” the social media post reads.
https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1941798448895824101
The Union Minister also met a delegation from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Srinagar and held meaningful discussions on empowering local industries, accelerating economic development, and creating a favourable environment for business.
https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1941776512455221440
He held a detailed discussion with the MSME Development Forum, Jammu-Kashmir, regarding various suggestions to promote local enterprises. During this meeting, measures to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs, improve Ease of Doing Business, and connect them to the national supply chain were discussed.
https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1941775755848872429
During his visit, Union Minister Goyal promised to recommend a reduction in the Goods and Services Tax imposed on handicrafts and handloom products to help promote the sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the FTII: Traders Conclave – 2025 in Srinagar, the Union Minister said, “The issue of GST levied on handicrafts and handlooms was brought to my attention by two or three system delegations. I have suggested that they submit an application regarding this matter to the Finance Ministry as well as to me so that we can explore what relief can be provided. We will try to reduce the GST rate from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on these items, which would help promote the handloom and handicraft sectors — especially in Jammu & Kashmir. We will make efforts to find a way forward in this regard.”
“One of the topics raised was the need for packaging units where new designs and technologies could be introduced to better promote local products such as handicrafts, horticulture items, pashmina shawls, and handlooms,” Goyal said.
The Union Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon get a Centre of Excellence for Packaging and Design.
“I have directed officials to explore possibilities in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging to initiate a project focused on quality packaging and design. They have been requested to identify a suitable location where this initiative can be launched at the earliest,” he said.
Further, the Union Minister Goyal said that representatives have discussed setting up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on storage technology, cold chain infrastructure, and encouraging startups and new talent.
“The aim is to support those shifting from traditional trades to entrepreneurship, offering assistance through innovation and research. The Centre of Excellence would work on developing new products, technologies, and even new seed or fruit varieties. I will also engage with the Ministry of Agriculture to explore how they can contribute by enhancing productivity and supporting these efforts,” Goyal assured the traders of Jammu and Kashmir.
Goyal also assured that he will discuss with the NTPC and Solar Energy Corporation to establish a solar lighting or power generation facility in the area to help producers to export their products as a green product to get a greater prices.
Goyal also assured that he would hold discussions with the Public Sector energy unit NTPC and the Solar Energy Corporation to explore setting up a solar lighting or power generation facility in the region. The initiative aims to support local producers in exporting their goods as green products, thereby enabling them to fetch better prices in international markets. (ANI)
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