JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) and Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC), Union Ministry of Commerce & Industries organized an export awareness workshop for wool producers in Jammu.
With a vision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to promote and market local produce of J&K in National & International markets and under the guidance of Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, Prashant Goyal, JKTPO has been organizing such workshops and training sessions to enhance and increase skills of artisans, weavers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
The workshop included detailed sessions on the benefits of exports, the process of getting an IEC code, potential of woolen products in the region in the international market.
At the onset Ramesh Khajuria, Chairman, WWEPC welcomed the dignitaries and the business community associated with wool production. He emphasized that the wool industry has the potential in UT of J&K to generate employment in far-flung and diverse regions and at present provides employment to thousands of people. India exports wool and woolen blended products to more than 150 countries around the world.
He further added that India exported woolen products worth US $619 Million during 2021-22 and registered growth of 25% over the previous year. During the current year, there is a growth of 29% till January 2023.
Managing Director, JKTPO, Khalid Jahangir briefed the audience about the mandate and various trade and export promotion initiatives undertaken by Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization. He further added that JKTPO regularly organizes and participates in various activities like Buyer-Seller Meets, Trade Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences, Seminars, etc. at the National and International levels for registered members & women entrepreneurs.
He further highlighted the export potential of unique products of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that in FY 2022-23, JKTPO organized and participated in more than 25 Exhibitions, BSMs, and Trade expos in which over 85000 business leads worth Rs 250 Cr were generated and about Rs 15 Cr on spot sales were recorded.
Director Handloom & Handicrafts Jammu, Vikas Gupta, while appreciating the efforts of JKTPO and WWEPC for organizing such events said that wool manufacturers must utilize the platforms and resources provided by Govt and participate in various exhibitions/BSMs/trade fairs to develop export capacity and market linkages. He further said that JKTPO has organized more than 50 events/exhibitions/workshops in recent times to provide the opportunity to develop exporters.
Managing Director, Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation, Atul Sharma, also highlighted Vocal for Local initiatives, Backward & forward linkages, and the efforts put in to increase the wool exports from UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants were briefed by Deputy Director DGFT, Jammu, A.K. Bhushan, on the different government export promotion programmes and the paperwork needed to register as an IEC. The participants received thorough explanations of all the key components of exports, a checklist of the documents needed to obtain an IEC code, market linkages, including those with e-commerce, and their advantages. Participants’ questions about registration and other connected topics were also promptly answered.
Director, Gandhi Institute of peace and conflict studies, University of Jammu, Dr. Seema Rohmetra, briefed on the collaboration through skill development programmes & exhibitions especially to promote cottage industries as well as the involvement of students in various activities of entrepreneurs.
Addl. ED, WWEPC, Sanjay Chawla, had given a detailed presentation on highlighting the role of WWEPC in the export promotion of woolen products.
The workshop was attended by more than msmes/entrepreneurs/artisans/start-ups/societies from Handloom, woolen, and textile sector from Jammu.
