JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today underscored the need to promote the indigenous handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir at national as well as international levels.
“Nature has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with a variety of indigenous handicrafts, which have created a niche in national and international markets and the need is to promote these by way of sustained marketing as well as promotion. This would be providing a bigger market to these products which would in turn result in boosting the economy and generating jobs,” the Deputy Chief minister maintained.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Jammu and Kashmir Industries (JKI) Sale Mela today, showcasing an extensive range of wool and silk products.
The event, organised by Jammu and Kashmir Industries (JKI), was attended by the Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department, Smitha Sethi, Director of Industries and Commerce Jammu, Arun Kumar Manhas, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Industries, Vikram Gupta, Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Minerals, Pawan Kumar Sharma and other senior officers.
While appreciating the efforts of JKI in organizing the event, the Dy CM said that the government is committed to supporting the local industries and that a necessary mechanism is already in place to catalyse industrial growth. “This Sale Mela is a testament to the extraordinary talent of JKI workers and the rich heritage of Jammu and Kashmir especially related to Mulberry Silk. The government remains dedicated to promoting local crafts, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for our Sheep wool rearers, Sericulturists, Artisans and expanding their market reach,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the JKI to explore the possibilities of conducting such kind of events at other prominent places within and outside J&K as well as to showcase our rich heritage products.
The Sale Mela witnessed a huge response from the employees of the Civil Secretariat and will continue for the next 10 days, offering exclusive discounts and special promotions to encourage public participation.
