Advisor to Governor, K Skandan today reviewed the functioning of Department of Industries and Commerce at a high level meeting here today.The Advisor was given a briefing on current financial status, organizational setup besides key responsibilities, objects and functions of various Industrial sectors/ departments like Industries and Commerce Department, Handicrafts Department, Handloom Development Department, Geology and Mining Department, Handloom Development Corporation, Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation, JK SIDCO, JK SICOP, KVIB, JKEDI, JK Cement, JK Minerals, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology and Carpet Development Institute.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Shaleen Kabra, Special Secretary Industries and Commerce, Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir/Jammu besides HoDs / Managing Directors of various departments and Corporations.Earlier, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce gave a power point presentation on the overview of Industries and Commerce and allied departments.The Advisor was apprised of various incentives available to entrepreneurs and investors.The Advisor stressed on promoting and publicizing the incentives available so as to attract investors to the State. While reviewing the functioning of Handicraft and Handloom department, the Advisor called for promoting Artisans for recognition of their work besides providing them a market place to sell their product.
While highlighting the achievements in the Handicraft and Handloom sector, Principal Secretary I&C emphasized on the need to evolve a synergy between various departmental initiatives so as to develop a conducive ecosystem for artisans to excel in their trade.On J&K Startup policy, the Advisor desired for inviting venture capitalists and investors to guide the young entrepreneurs in the state and utilize the expertise of successful entrepreneurs.The Advisor, while enquiring about the timelines for the clearance of setting up of industrial enterprise in the state, instructed I&C department to earmark land available for setting up new industrial units. For effective utilization of land, the Advisor further advised to have land banks across the state and categorize the land as per the scale and nature of industries. Essential requirements of land like connectivity, water, power, approachability and other such aspects always came into play and these requirements needs to be looked upon to set up more industrial units, he added.On Industrial promotion, the Advisor directed the department to conduct road shows besides participating in industrial promotional activities in other states to yield fruitful results.The Advisor also enquired about the available infrastructure of Industrial Estate and stressed on rolling out the mechanism on e-waste and conversion of electricity through waste energy.He also had a detailed review of Cross LOC Trade and items permissible through Trade Facilitation Centre, Salamabad and Chaka-da-Bagh.