Valley’s trade body delegation meets Union Minister Rijiju

A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in the ‘Budget Pe Charcha-2025’, hosted by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, at the Amar Singh Club, Srinagar.

A KCCI statement said the discussion focused on the recently announced Union Budget and its vision of driving India up in the ranks of global economic powers. During the interactive session, the KCCI delegation appreciated the growth in SGDP, tourism, horticulture sectors in Jammu & Kashmir during the past few years.

However, it brought attention to several critical issues faced by the Union Territory, to the notice of Rijiju with special emphasis on the region’s unemployment rate. Quoting the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s report, KCCI noted that the unemployment rate in J&K stands at an alarming 32.8%, significantly higher than other states.

The delegation also voiced concerns regarding the declining state of Kashmir’s traditional handicrafts sector, which has witnessed a drastic fall in recent years. The urgent need for operation of international flights, upgradation of Srinagar Airport, development and promotion of tourist destinations, addressing environmental and waste management issues were among several issue brought to light by the KCCI delegation.