The first of its kind, ‘Umeed Women’s Haat’, organized by Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), concludes here today.The Women’s Haat was earlier e-inaugurated by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on october-25.“Umeed Women’s Haat is a first of its initiative by Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) giving opportunity to more than 4.5 lakh SHG members to showcase and sale their products at an ease” MD, JKRLM, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar.Speaking further the MD said that the aim of the women’s Haat is to ensure market facilities for rural entrepreneurs and provide opportunity to them to sell their products through Business to Business(B2B) and Business to consumers (B2C )mode.Dr Sehrish added that Jammu & Kashmir has long been the producer of many traditional arts & crafts that are highly admired and valued world over. She remarked that however due to lack of market linkage & non availability of B2B and B2C contacts, these entrepreneurs could not make the good earning due to exploitation by middlemen and retailers.Highlighting the importance of women’s Haat, Dr Sehrish maintained that more than 5000 rural women SHGs will benefit every year and get a chance to showcase their products at the Haat. Each SHG member will be given chance to showcase their products in batches on rotational basis throughout the year, the MD revealed.On the occasion the MD was informed that the Haat is designed to provide hands on training to women in packaging, branding and marketing of their finished products. She was further informed that 75 SHG members promoted under JKRLM participated in this marketing fair so far registering cumulative business worth rupees four lakhs.Dr Sehrish termed it highly encouraging at the beginning for these SHGs and said that it would act as a driving force for others set to display their enterprise in the days to come.