Srinagar, Jun 29 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated a two-day international buyer-seller meet here and said the government is committed to transforming the Union Territory into a globally competitive export hub by expanding market access for artisans, women self-help groups (SHGs) and entrepreneurs.
The event, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (J&K TPO) in association with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), has attracted over 30 domestic and international buyers from more than 14 countries.
Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said the buyer-seller platform would help diversify Jammu and Kashmir’s export basket, create new exporters from rural areas and strengthen partnerships with global markets.
He said the region has a long history of exporting its products, with tourists often acting as informal ambassadors of Kashmiri handicrafts by taking locally made products abroad, but changing circumstances and a prolonged decline in tourism had forced artisans to actively seek new markets.
The chief minister said structured buyer-seller meets were aimed at reconnecting local producers with national and international markets and that the current edition had expanded participation to include women SHGs, rural entrepreneurs and artisans from remote areas.
Noting that nearly 98 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir’s exports currently originate from just four districts, Abdullah said there was immense untapped export potential in the rest of the Union Territory.
He said achieving higher export targets would require creating a new generation of exporters by connecting producers from rural and underserved areas with international buyers.
The chief minister also highlighted the “Know Your Artisan” initiative, which enables buyers to directly interact with craftsmen, saying such engagement adds value to handmade products and strengthens their appeal in global markets.
The two-day event features over 100 handicraft, handloom and agro-food products from across Jammu and Kashmir, along with more than 20 live demonstrations by artisans.
Senior government officials, exporters, entrepreneurs, women SHGs, foreign delegates and trade representatives attended the inaugural session.(NVI)
