Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 21: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Northern Region has said that the organization working for the promotion of industry would facilitate the outside investment in J&K as well as within the State.
Talking to media-persons after an interactive session with the promoters and other people connected with the industry here today, CII Chairman (NR), Zubin J Irani said that Confederation of Indian Industry was committed for promotion and development of the Industry in the country. Mr Irani said that being the in-charge of eight Northern Indian States including UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttrakhand, Himachal Punjab and J&K and Chandigarh UT, it would be his utmost endeavour to facilitate the promoters/ industrialists in the entire region.
Referring to some shortcomings and difficulties being faced by the investors and promoters in this part of the region, Irani said his team members who were here on the visit met some senior Government officials connected with the trade and industry besides Divisional Commissioner and the Director Tourism and discussed the issues with them. Encouraging investors by providing them congenial atmosphere of growth is most important for the promotion of industry in J&K. It is important to have single window system like in Punjab and Uttrakhand here in J&K.
Provision of uninterrupted power supply to the industry is yet another important issue to be addressed at war footing for the effective growth. No doubt there has been some decline in the investment here from outside, yet we hope that if some more industry friendly steps are taken by J&K Government, you will see more and more in investment here. Special incentives being provided to the industry in J&K were withdrawn by the Government few years back and this was also one of the reasons, he maintained.
Replying to yet another question Mr Irani said FDI has been proved to be better in some sectors especially in retail but it is not good for many other sectors in the country. There was a need to review it in certain areas where the local industry is facing crisis. He said there was need to raise clusters all over the region and potential of the particular area and region is needed to be tapped properly. Whether it is Tourism, handicraft, sports industry or any other sector, clusters should be raised for better growth. It would also generate huge employment for the skilled, semi-skilled and other educated youth of this State. Vice Chairman, CII J&K State Council C P Gupta also spoke on the occasion and touched some local issues including having good parking facility at Jammu Airport where tourists are often seen dragging their bags outside up the main road. He also said not only at Airport good parking slots are needed at other major shopping centers and city markets.
Earlier, the CII organised an interactive session with the local promoters, industrialists and young entrepreneurs and also listened to their problems and ably responded to their queries. Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu and Director Tourism Jammu, Saujanya Sharma also later joined the SME.
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