Led by Javid Ahmad Tenga, President, a Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) delegationdiscussed crucial issues affecting Kashmir’s handicraft sector with Giriraj Singh, Minister of Textiles. The meeting was held at the UdyogBhavan.

Also including ZubairMahajan, Treasurer and Shaukat Khan, Executive Committee Member, the KCCI delegationemphasised on the importance of accrediting the Pre-Export Pashmina DNA Testing Lab at SKUAST Srinagar with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Wildlife Department. This accreditation would streamline export processes, preventing seizures and delays that often result in order cancellations and reputational damage for exporters, they said.

The delegation also highlighted concerns regarding the current Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) scheme for woolen and Pashmina shawls. They pointed out, the existing cap of Rs. 438 adversely affects high-value products, such as Pashmina shawls resulting in losses worth thousands or even lakhs of rupees. To prevent these losses and ensure appropriate export benefits, KCCI proposed introducing a separate Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for value-added and Pashmina shawls.

Additionally, the delegation recommended announcing handicraft clusters in various Kashmir districts. They cited the success of Kanihama village in Budgam District, which was declared a Handloom Village due to its dense production of Kani Shawls and Pashmina. The KCCI also proposed conducting market study tours to European, Middle Eastern, and US markets to promote the export of handicrafts and other sectors.

Appreciating KCCI for raising the concerns, Singh assured the issues would be addressed soon.