Buyer-seller meet lends money, opportunity to Kashmir trade

Srinagar: Goods worth around Rs 15 crore were booked in the three-day buyer-seller meet that concluded at SKICC on March 19.
The meet, hosted by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and sponsored by ministry of commerce (GoI) under Marketing Assistance Initiative (MAI), was inaugurated by the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Javeed Ahmad Tenga, President KCCI said that among the goods booked, included pashmina, chain stitch items and paper machie.
However, he said that the carpets saw less number of customers because of the higher prices.
He said around 65 international exporters and 19 export houses of the country took part in the meet.
“The international exporters were from central Asia, Turkey and other countries. The Indian export houses were from different states such as Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Delhi. A single exporter purchased goods, worth Rs 6 crore,” he said.
He said the international exporters showed a lot of interest in selling the products of the Valley.
“The international exporters showed huge interest in selling our products. We hope that in near future we can do good business,” he said.
However, Tenga said the representatives of the Indian export houses, showed concerns over the situation in the Valley.
“We had to motivate them. They were apprehensive about the situation. They were surprised to see the good atmosphere,” he said.
“At last, they agreed to sell our products. Their president said that they would conduct a press conference to clear the apprehensions prevailing outside the state about the situation in Kashmir,” he said.
He said the Indian export houses play a vital role in the marketing of Kashmiri goods.