Srinagar
J&K Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industries (JKJCCI) organised a program to commemorate the 9th Anniversary of Cross LOC trade.
The program was attended by Bilal Ahmad- Director Industries and commerce, Dr. Sagar D- SDM Uri /custodian TFC Salamabad, Waheed ur Rehman Parra- Youth President PDP and secretary sports council, Tanvir Sadiq- Political secretary former chief minister Omar Abdullah, Rakesh Gupta- Joint President JKJCCI, Nasir Khan- Vice President KCCI, Hilal Turki- Vice president JKJCCI, Mohammad Ashraf Mir- President FCIK, Asif Lone- District President Baramulla Peoples conference/chairman Cross LOC traders union. Cross LoC Traders from Poonch and Salamabad Uri, trade chambers, academicians and media were also present at the event.
The speakers, spokesman said stressed on improvement on the infrastructural front and also facilitating the traders for carrying on business. The program aimed to celebrate the success of cross LOC trade and discuss the challenges.
In the welcome address, Rakesh Gupta, the Joint President JKJCCI, stressed on improving the trade infrastructure as well as implementing tourism exchange programs by Government.
Hilal Ahmed, the Vice president of JKJCCI, embraced the opportunity wherein first time in 9 years, trade happened on a Monday which is generally not a trade day.
Dr. Sagar D, SDM Uri /custodian TFC Salamabad, congratulated the traders for their valuable efforts and mentioned about the initiatives that have been taken by the government to reform this institution wherein registration process, Single window system, E-governance mechanism between various agencies, restricted entry into trade facility center and quarterly traders meet will be enhanced. Moreover, he ensured that the procurement of full body scanners will be completed in next two years.
“There are practical problems in this trade. Borders have hostile atmosphere so it affects trade. The government will work on enhancing it by deploying advance technology”, Youth President, PDP /secretary sports council Waheed ur Rehman Parra. The distinguished speakers also urged the state as well as central government to restart the trade through the Poonch border which is closed for trade since July this year.
At the end, Shujaat Bhukhari, editor in chief, Rising Kashmir, congratulated the traders for keeping alive the confidence building measure despite a number of problems and stressed on need of getting all chambers and stakeholders together to improve and sustain trade across LOC.
