Kashmir Chamber Reaffirms Commitment to Trade, Transparency, and Transformation
By: Javid Amin | 20 October 2025
KCC&I Elects New Leadership at 91st Annual General Meeting
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) convened its adjourned 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at Hotel The Kabo, Srinagar, reaffirming its commitment to the business community of Jammu and Kashmir. The event marked a pivotal moment in the Chamber’s legacy of economic advocacy and institutional leadership.
Presided over by Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Chairman of the Election Commission for the 2025–27 term, the meeting saw the formal declaration of results for the Executive Committee Elections held on October 6 at the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium. Out of 30 contesting candidates, 21 members—a dynamic blend of experience and youthful energy—were elected to form the new Executive Committee.
Following the announcement, the elected collegium selected the new office bearers for the 2025–27 term:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Mr. Javid Ahmad Tenga |
| Senior Vice President | Dr. Umer Nazir Tibetbaqal |
| Junior Vice President | Mr. Farooq Amin |
| Secretary General | Faiz Ahmad Bakshi |
| Joint Secretary General | Mr. Akib Chaya |
| Treasurer | Mr. Amir Manzoor Guna |
Notably, Mr. Javid Ahmad Tenga and Mr. Faiz Ahmad Bakshi have been re-elected as President and Secretary General respectively for a third consecutive term, underscoring the trust and continuity within the Chamber’s leadership.
The AGM witnessed robust participation from past presidents, senior members, and prominent business leaders, with an official from the District Administration attending as observer—reflecting the Chamber’s inclusive and transparent ethos.
In his presidential address, Mr. Tenga expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members and reaffirmed the Chamber’s mission to revive and strengthen the local economy. He highlighted pressing challenges across key sectors:
- Tourism: Stressed by fluctuating visitor inflow and infrastructural bottlenecks, especially in April 2025. Mr. Tenga emphasized the need for policy facilitation and government engagement, particularly around leasehold regulations.
- Horticulture: Repeated highway closures have led to significant losses. KCC&I will advocate for a dedicated freight train service during harvest and winter seasons.
- Handicrafts: Declining exports have impacted thousands of artisans. The Chamber aims to restore global visibility for Kashmiri crafts.
- General Trade & Services: As the backbone of the Valley’s economy, these sectors require improved logistics and entrepreneurship-friendly policies.
Mr. Tenga also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing office bearers—Mr. Ashiq Hussain Shangloo, Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi, and Mr. Zubair Ahmad Mahajan—who stepped down due to prior commitments but remain active members of the Executive Committee.
A special vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and the Election Commission team for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, with support from the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar’s office.
Past Presidents Mr. A.M. Mattoo and Mr. G.M. Dug addressed the gathering, congratulating the new team and urging them to uphold transparency, institutional credibility, and proactive engagement with policymakers.
The AGM concluded with a collective pledge to work in unity for the advancement of trade, commerce, and industry across Jammu and Kashmir.
No:KCC&I/D/10/2025/4801 20TH OCTOBER, 2025
PRESS NOTE
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today held its adjourned 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Hotel The Kabo, Srinagar, marking a significant occasion in the Chamber’s long history of service to the business community of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Chairman, Election Commission, Executive Committee (2025–27) of KCC&I, who declared the official results of the Executive Committee Elections held on October 6, 2025, at the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium.
Out of 30 contesting candidates, 21 members blend of experience and youth were elected to constitute the Executive Committee of KCC&I for the term 2025–27.
Following the declaration, the collegium of elected members elected the new office bearers for the Chamber. The newly elected leadership includes:
- Mr. Javid Ahmad Tenga President
- Dr. Umer Nazir Tibetbaqal Senior Vice President
- Mr. Farooq Amin Junior Vice President
- Faiz Ahmad Bakshi Secretary General
- Mr. Akib Chaya – Joint Secretary General
- Mr. Amir Manzoor Guna Treasurer
The office bearers will serve a two-year term (2025–27) commencing from today. Both Javid Tenga & Faiz Bakshi have been elected as President and Secretary General respectively for third time.
The meeting was well attended by a large number of members, including past presidents, senior members, and prominent business leaders, reflecting the Chamber’s broad-based participation and commitment to collective decision-making. An official of District Administration attended the meeting as an observer.
In his presidential address, Mr Javid Ahmad Tenga expressed deep gratitude to the members of KCC&I, past presidents, and the business community for their trust and continued support.
“We are beginning a new chapter with renewed energy and collective responsibility,” said Mr. Tenga. “Our foremost priority is the revival and strengthening of the local economy, which continues to face multiple challenges. The tourism sector, one of the vital pillars of our economy, has been under stress due to fluctuating visitor inflow especially April, 2025, compounded by infrastructural bottlenecks. We will actively engage with the government and stakeholders to ensure sustained support and policy facilitation for this sector.” He especially spoke about the leasehold policy of the Government across Jammu & Kashmir.
He added, “The horticulture sector has suffered significant losses due to frequent highway closures. KCC&I will vociferously demand the introduction of a special freight train service during the harvest season and winter months to ensure the timely transportation of fruit produce. Similarly, handicraft exports have declined, affecting thousands of artisans and exporters. We will take up this issue at all appropriate forums to restore the global presence of Kashmiri handicrafts. Our focus will also include the general trade and Goods & service sectors, which form the backbone of our economic ecosystem. The Chamber will continue to advocate for a conducive business environment, improved logistics, and policies that support entrepreneurship and employment generation in the Valley.”
Mr. Tenga also felicitated the outgoing office bearers, including Mr. Ashiq Hussain Shangloo (Ex-Senior Vice President), Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi (Ex-Junior Vice President), and Mr. Zubair Ahmad Mahajan (Ex-Treasurer), acknowledging their immense contributions to the Chamber. He noted that they opted out owing to prior business commitments, but continue to remain valued executive committee members of KCC&I. The President observed that no matter who made it or did not make it, elections were behind us and every member of KCCI remains committed to work with greater zeal and zest for promotion and growth of the businesses.
The Chamber also extended a special vote of thanks to Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Wani for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections along with other members of the Election Commission, with support from officials of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar’s office.
The Past Presidents, Mr. A.M. Mattoo and Mr. G.M. Dug, also spoke on the occasion, along with several senior members. They congratulated the newly elected team and urged the office bearers to work with devotion, transparency, and dedication for the betterment of trade, commerce and industry in Kashmir, emphasising the importance of strengthening institutional credibility and fostering dialogue with policymakers.
The AGM concluded with a pledge of unity and collaborative effort to represent and protect the interests of the business community across all sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.
Faiz Ahmad Bakshi
Secretary General
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry INC.
2ND FLOOR, MOHIDIN TRUST BUILDING, RESIDENCY ROAD, SRINAGAR-KASHMIR-190001
TEL: 0194-2455446/2482176 FAX : 0194: 2452517
E-MAIL : thekashmirchamber@gmail.com Website : www.thekcci.in
