Centre announces sops for trade and industry in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 13 (UNI) The Centre today announced setting up of the offices of National Spices Board and the Director-General Foreign Trade here besides establishing an International Trade Centre at Pampore on the city outskirts.

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh announced this while addressing an award function organised by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) here.

Mr Ramesh said after consultations with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and KCCI members, he has taken several decisions to enhance the export potential of the state.

He said these included setting up of offices of National Spices Board and Director-General Foreign Trade in Srinagar, establishing an International Trade Centre at Pampore and also exploring the possibility of a tannery to process raw hides in the Kashmir valley.

Mr Ramesh said his Ministry would extend all help for marketing of handicrafts and horticulture of Jammu and Kashmir. In this regard, the Union Minister announced financing Kashmir Expo-2007 in October this year.

Mr Ramesh said he would visit Srinagar every month to oversee the implementation of various decisions taken during his current tour.

Later talking to journalists, he said cross LoC trade in the state has vast potential, but it cannot be undertaken unilaterally.

''In this endeavour, the attitude of Pakistan is very important,'' the Union Minister added.

He lamented that despite SAFTA, Pakistan was not ready to give the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India, an obligatory under the international trade norms.

UNI