Srinagar, Mar 17: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed the hope that Jammu and Kashmir, realizing its geopolitical situation as part of a peaceful region opens up to the world as an international trading destination through land routes.
Addressing a function on the inauguration of 7th International Buyer-Seller meet here today, the Chief Minister said the State has been the recipient of major cultural, social and economic influences from the areas of Silk Route from the past seven centuries.
She said these influences, once used contextually, would help in making the State a hub of economic activity in the region.
She said two dry ports are being set up at Jammu and Srinagar to get the goods from the State to the international market in a hassle-free manner. With such an easy mode of transportation the agri- and horticultural produce from the State would get a quality international market, she said.
Terming today’s Buyer-Seller meet as a milestone to promote the crafts of the State, Mehbooba Mufti said she is confident that such events build the trust between the business communities of the State and outside and also mark the beginning of the establishment of the State as a major international trading centre. She complimented the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Industries department for organizing today’s event.
Welcoming the participants, the Chief Minister compared the composition of today’s gathering with a masterpiece created by the local artisans depicting the inclusive and colorful outlook of the people living here.
She said she believed that such an occasion would provide a meeting ground to the artisans, entrepreneurs and the trading community to promote the arts and crafts of the State and build a relationship of trust and sustained interest with their outside counterparts.
“I hope you will go back as our ambassadors in the international trading community and the masterpieces you carry from here will act as souvenirs of peace and goodwill,” she said in her address.
Hailing the artisan community of the State for keeping the distinctive crafts alive despite distressing times in the past, the Chief Minister said that it was the crafts persons’ community who kept the things moving when many of the economic parametres in the State were not so good during the last three decades.
“Our artisans do not use their fingers and hands only, they give their blood and soul to produce the artifacts J&K is known for,” she said in her address while pledging all support from her government.
“I assure you that my government is with you for the promotion and strengthening of handicraft sector,” she added.
Minister for Industries, Chander Parkash Ganga; Minister for Finance & Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari; Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Asiea Naqash and president, KCCI, Javed Tenga also addressed the gathering.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented lifetime awards to three distinguished businessmen -Abdul Majeed Mattoo, Muhammad Amin Tramboo and G M Dug – for the outstanding contribution to business and industry. She also released a catalogue of the today’s Buyer-Seller meet.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the stalls put up at the meet and appreciated the artisans and crafts persons for their masterpieces put on display.
will be ensured in Kathua rape-and-murder case”
Srinagar, Mar 17 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said it will be ensured that justice is done in the rape-and-murder case of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district.
The PDP-BJP dispensation in the state, which has announced a probe into the case by the crime branch, has come under criticism from opposition National Conference (NC) which alleged that the state government was trying to shield the accused.
“Justice will be delivered in the case,” Mehbooba told reporters on sidelines of an International Buyer-Seller meet at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre here.
