SRINAGAR: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday announced a series of interventions aimed at strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s apple industry, traditional handicrafts, and entrepreneurial ecosystem, promising a new phase of economic acceleration for the region. Speaking at the FTII Traders’ Conclave 2025 held at SKICC Srinagar, Goyal said the central government would examine in detail the demands of Kashmiri apple growers for greater protection from foreign imports, even as India continues to import nearly six lakh tonnes of apples annually to meet domestic shortages.
Addressing concerns from fruit growers, Goyal said that he would soon take up the matter with the Ministry of Agriculture. He acknowledged that the current minimum import price of Rs 50 per kilogram and an import duty of 50 per cent are not seen as adequate safeguards by domestic producers, who argue that imported apples are impacting the market unfairly. While consumers are currently paying Rs 125 to Rs 150 per kilogram, growers say their margins are shrinking. Goyal said that a balance must be found between safeguarding the interests of local farmers and ensuring fair pricing for consumers.
Turning to Kashmir’s handicrafts sector, Goyal responded to long-standing demands from artisan groups and trade bodies to reduce the Goods and Services Tax on handicrafts and handlooms from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. He said that he had advised industry associations to submit a formal representation, and assured that he would take the matter up with the Finance Ministry. He described the proposed reduction as crucial for reviving the region’s handcraft-based livelihoods and promoting these globally recognised products in international markets.
Among other key announcements, Goyal said the government would soon establish a Centre of Excellence for Packaging and Design in Jammu and Kashmir. He said this facility, being planned in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging, would help improve the quality and presentation of Kashmiri products, making them more competitive in both domestic and export markets. In addition, Goyal said that his ministry was exploring the establishment of another Centre of Excellence focused on cold chain infrastructure, storage technology, and startup incubation. The facility would provide research and innovation support for new agricultural practices, product development, and entrepreneurship, especially for those transitioning from traditional trades.
Goyal also assured that discussions were underway with the NTPC and Solar Energy Corporation of India to set up a solar lighting and power generation facility in the Lassipora Industrial Estate. The project is aimed at making local manufacturing more sustainable and enabling exports to be marketed as green-certified products, which command better prices in international markets. The Minister noted that this would align with global trends and improve the economic viability of local industry.
During the conclave and several side meetings, Goyal met representatives from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), who submitted a comprehensive memorandum of demands. Among the key issues raised were rising unemployment, the need for export promotion measures, and expansion of global market access. The KCCI delegation urged for Kashmiri exporters to be provided with warehousing space in Bharat Mart, Dubai, as well as in future European warehousing hubs. They also called for a dedicated Inland Container Depot in Kashmir to ease export logistics, region-specific policy frameworks, enhanced air cargo facilities at Srinagar airport, and reservations for local entrepreneurs under a revised industrial policy.
Responding to these concerns, Goyal assured that space at Bharat Mart would be made available to Kashmiri exporters at concessional rates. He also promised that his ministry would ensure greater participation of Kashmiri business delegations in international trade fairs. On the proposal to establish a Pashmina testing laboratory in Srinagar, Goyal responded positively and said it aligned with the government’s commitment to supporting high-value GI-tagged products.
Addressing the broader economic and political context, Goyal said that the people of Kashmir had shown the world that terrorism would not be allowed to disrupt development. Referring to the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Goyal praised local communities for standing firm. He drew a comparison between efforts to end terrorism in Kashmir and the national campaign to eradicate Naxalism by 2026, saying that he was confident Kashmir too would see lasting peace and progress.
Goyal also recalled the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary and said that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A had completed Kashmir’s constitutional integration with the rest of India. He said that the democratic process had been revived in the Union Territory and cited the functioning of the Omar Abdullah-led government and recently held elections as signs of political maturity and stability.
He noted that industrial development in J&K had accelerated under the Centre’s Rs 28,000 crore incentive scheme, with new units across diverse sectors now operational. Referring to Kashmir’s tourism boom, especially in the context of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, Goyal said that home stays had emerged in thousands of houses, creating fresh income opportunities and fostering inclusive growth. He highlighted new infrastructure achievements, including the Vande Bharat Express in the Valley, the completion of the USBRL rail corridor, and the construction of bridges and tunnels connecting remote regions.
He said that these investments were transforming connectivity, commerce, and tourism in J&K. Goyal concluded his address by urging local entrepreneurs to embrace the philosophy of ‘Vocal for Local’ and take Kashmiri products to global markets. He said the government was committed to empowering local industries, ensuring sustainability, and building a future where artisans, growers, and entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir could shape India’s export story with confidence.
