SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) had a productive meeting on Friday at the Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) office with Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The meeting, organised by Khalid Jahangir, Managing Director of JKTPO, aimed to discuss various opportunities for business promotion and collaboration.

Led by President Javed Ahmad Tenga, the KCCI team, including Senior Vice President Ashaq Shangloo, Secretary General Faiz Bakshi, and EC member Lateef Ahmad Bhat, highlighted several key areas of interest. They emphasised the need for marketing and promotion of local handicrafts, carpets, shawls, and tourism. The team also emphasised the importance of establishing direct air connectivity between Kashmir and Saudi Arabia, as well as facilitating the export of horticultural products.

Furthermore, the KCCI sought the Ambassador’s assistance in organising marketing events such as exhibitions, fairs, marts, and road shows to promote Kashmiri products in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. They also requested support in arranging buyer-seller meets and inter-chamber consultations to facilitate market access for local entrepreneurs and exporters.

The KCCI brought to the Ambassador’s attention the travel inconvenience faced by approximately 50,000 Kashmiri pilgrims performing Umrah, who have to undertake indirect flights due to the lack of direct flights from Srinagar. They sought the Ambassador’s intervention at an appropriate level to address this issue, which would provide significant relief to the pilgrims.

During the meeting, President KCCI also shared updates on the ongoing engagement with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce for investment and related matters, highlighting the potential for collaboration and mutual benefits.

The Indian Ambassador, Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, expressed his appreciation for the issues raised by the KCCI and assured them of the cooperation and support of the Indian Embassy and Consulate General in promoting the interests of local businesses.

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