Omar for State Trade Fair Authority to promote handicrafts

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*Stresses on reviving the old glory of Numaish

*Inaugurates 55th Industrial & Handicrafts exhibition

Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah Friday underscored the need for a Trade Fair Authority to organize round the year exhibitions and fairs to promote marketing and production of handicrafts and industrial products of the State. “This would also help synchronize the tourist season with organizing of such fairs, and help enhance the market for local products”, he added.

The Chief Minister was addressing at a function after the inauguration of 55th Industrial and Handicrafts Exhibition at Kashmir Haat here this afternoon. The Minister for Finance, Mr. A. R. Rather, Minister for Industries, Mr. S. S. Slathia, the Minister of State for Industries, Mr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Advisors to Chief Minister, Mr. Mubarak Gul and Mr. Devender Singh Rana and Principal Secretary Industries, Mr. Anil Goswami were present on the occasion.

Mr. Omar said that timely holding of such exhibitions in the State would promote the marketing of goods and create opportunity for buyer-seller meets. “We should formulate a calendar for the year earmarking months and dates for organizing trade fairs and handicraft exhibitions”, he said and stressed on reviving the old glory of Kashmir handicrafts exhibition popularly known as Numaish.

Referring to the Suraj Kund Mela organized in Haryana every year in which handicraft and industrial units from all over the country and abroad participate and showcase their products for mutual trade. “We have to think of organizing such a grand industrial and handicraft exhibitions in the State roping in unit holders and entrepreneurs from all over”, he said adding this would provide huge opportunity to our industrialists and handicraft manufacturers to expand their business and popularize their products”, he added.

Mr. Omar said that government would provide all help to the people in industrial and handicrafts sector to grow and expand their market orbit. “These are the sectors promising greater employment opportunities to the people directly and indirectly”, he said and asked the Industries Department to take every measure to give considerable fillip to the growth and development of both the industrial and handicrafts sectors in the State.

The Chief Minister said that atmosphere is now conducive and security situation is improving with the passage of time. “We should take best advantage of the situation and work for industrialization and growth of handicrafts sector to generate economic activities and ensure welfare of thousands associated with these sectors”, he said adding that Kashmir is world famous in the product of unique handicrafts and efforts are required to enhance and expand the markets for Kashmir handicrafts and industrial products. “The Department of Industries has to render a stupendous service to achieve this goal”, he said adding that the government would put in every effort to revive and upgrade the production and marketing of handicrafts and industrial products in the State during the next five and half years.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Industries, Mr. S. S. Slathia said that from the next year two Industrial and Handicrafts exhibitions will be held in Kashmir every year – one in the Spring and the other in the Autumn. Similarly, two such exhibitions will be held in Jammu he added.

Mr. Slathia said that the 55th exhibition will be of 15 days duration. He said Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and FCI, Kashmir has collaborated with the Industries Department in organizing this year’s fair in which more than 50 stalls of various handicrafts and industrial goods have been installed by young people to showcase their products for marketing. He said efforts would be made to make such fairs more popular and trade-oriented in the coming years.

The Minister of State for Industries, Mr. Manohar Lal Sharma also spoke on the occasion.