The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) Saturday hoped the upcoming spring season for Jammu & Kashmir will be proved as a “spring of opportunities,” and urged upon Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to start flights from Srinagar to Jeddah directly.
President, KCCI Sheikh Ashiq while addressing a press conference here in Srinagar, said we are hopeful the upcoming spring season for the entire J&K will be turned into a “spring of opportunities” for the reinvigoration of the economy and other business activities.
“The spring is coming and we have faith that it will turn out as spring of opportunities for all of us”, he said.
Recollecting past, the KCCI president said from the last two to three years the business of J&K has been affected badly however the KCCI from the last few months are carrying out rejuvenating exercises regarding which meeting took place with LG administration for opening new ways of opportunities.
He said it has been our long-pending demand to start direct air connectivity from Srinagar to Jeddah, which would not only be beneficial for the local commerce but will also provide a resolution to growing unemployment in J&K.
“The KCCI met LG led administration in recent past and appealed them to start direct flights from Srinagar to Jeddah”, he said.
He added being a Muslim majority character the J&K should have been accorded direct flights to Jeddah for the ease of pilgrims and business fraternity. He also added the direct flight to Jeddah from Srinagar has a sentimental connection, besides having the potential of manifold business opportunities.
He further added the KCCI in the coming days will take up the matter with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
He appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take compassionate note of the matter and use his good office in kick-starting the flights directly to Jeddah.
The KCCI President, Sheikh Ashiq said due to some unavoidable circumstances which include the Covid19 pandemic, the Srinagar – Dubai flights have also been suspended to date and urged upon the Government to resume them at the earliest.
Replying to a query, he said the KCCI is eagerly waiting for spring and is hopeful it will be a “spring of opportunities” for all stakeholders. He also said we are hopeful that NH44 will also be restored fully this year for strengthening the commerce and trade of J&K, which often remain hit due to its frequent closure.
“Let it be spring of opportunities for revival measures so that our economy will come to the track once again”, he added.
The KCCI president said the air connectivity to Jeddah is our long-pending demand and we are hopeful the government this time will not disappoint the people of J&K.
He appealed to traders and the business community to be a part of this initiative and utilize their efforts to connect the trade of J&K to the outside world.
While hailing the role of KCCI, he said small associations come and go but KCCI has always been at the forefront of the larger interest of the business community.
Regarding elections, he said the KCCI had a series of communications with the administration for the conduct of elections. “We had clarified that KCCI is ready for elections, however, hurdles wherever in this regard should be addressed without any delay”, he revealed.
He said the election is a part of democracy aimed to make the institutions strong. “The KCCI does not believe in locking the business but running it in a smooth way, which is also the solution of growing unemployment in the valley”, he said.
Besides President, Secretary-General Farooq Amin and other office bearers of the KCCI were present at the occasion.
