SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir International Buyer-Seller Meet 2025 witnessed participation from over 100 sellers and more than 45 national and international buyers representing seven countries and seven Indian states, with over 100 high-quality wool and woollen products showcased during the event.
Held at SKICC in Srinagar, the meet was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called for the revival of the historic creator-consumer relationship between Kashmiri artisans and the global market. The event, themed “Skilled Hands to Global Markets”, was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) in collaboration with the Wool & Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC) under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ RAMP scheme.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the initiative aimed to re-establish Kashmir’s traditional artisan links with international markets, which once flourished without formal platforms. “Tourists from around the globe would naturally engage with Kashmiri crafts. Today, we are trying to revive that connection by bringing the buyers directly to our creators,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Industries Vikramjit Singh, WWEPC Chairman R.C. Khanna, and President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry Javed Ahmed Tenga were among the dignitaries present.
In his address, Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for inclusivity in such platforms, urging the Industries Department to prioritise artisans and entrepreneurs with limited exposure and resources. “They have the skills and products but lack access. By involving them, we address both equity and market challenges,” he said, reiterating that the real benefits of such events must reach the creators, not intermediaries.
The Chief Minister announced the government’s commitment to organising six regular buyer-seller meets and six reverse meets annually to ensure sustained engagement. He also encouraged artisans to innovate and modernise in product design and production, assuring full government support in the form of raw material and colour banks, and design innovation centres.
Appreciating the participation of buyers and dignitaries, he noted their presence as a reaffirmation of the government’s efforts to empower artisans and promote the local crafts sector globally.
Calling attention to the unique craftsmanship on display, Abdullah revealed that some of the exhibited products took years to complete. “This is more than commerce—it’s cultural preservation and innovation. I invite you all to explore our stalls and witness the skill and dedication that defines Kashmiri art,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister, along with Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary, inspected the stalls, interacting with buyers and sellers and encouraging continued collaboration.
The event highlighted the government’s broader push to integrate local artisans into global value chains, positioning Kashmir as a competitive hub for woollen and handicraft exports.
