Modified SOP to help traders in big way: FoIJ

Excelsior CorrespondentJAMMU, Feb 15: Federation of Industries Jammu (FoIJ) has welcomed the� decision of� the Govt to modify SOP on cross LoC trade and said that it would help the traders/ industrialists of the J&K in big way.In a meeting of the members of the FoIJ held today under the chairmanship of� Lalit Mahajan,� chairman in presence of� Rajesh Jain,� Vijay Aggarwal, Ajit Bawa,� Romesh Badyal, Jainder Aul, (Co-Chairmen),� SB Abrol secretary general,� Ajay Langer� and� others, all the members from different constituents of Federation of Industries discussed the current scenario of� cross-LoC trade.While appreciating the Govt decision to modify the present Standard� Operating Procedure (SOP) for cross LoC trade, the member present in the meeting raised their serious concern in respect of non-inclusion of majority of Industrial products being manufactured by MSME Sector of J&K in the current SOP resulting great resentment amongst the Industrial fraternity.It is pertinent to mention here that the MSME sector of our State is suffering due to� locational disadvantages� and shallow market avenues as it is difficult for them to sell their products in the neighboring States� and if an opportunity is provided to the Unit holders to sell their products through cross LoC trade, it will boost the confidence� of the Industrial units and overall economic development of the State.� We strongly suggest that all goods manufactured in J&K be brought into the ambit of LoC trade to explore new market for local industry which includes Ferrous & Non Ferrous products, Pharma� and� Health Care products, Food products, Packaging Material, Pesticides, Building Material, Paint Hardware, Electrical goods, garments, Blankets & Carpets, IT Products, Engineering Goods, Stationery Items, Cattle/ Poultry feed, Chemicals etc�� being manufactured by local MSME Sector. We also suggest that Permanent Registration Certificate of Industrial Unit duly registered with Directorate of Industries & Commerce Jammu/Kashmir shall be treated as Trade Permit for the cross LoC trade," Mahajan added.It was further resolved in the meeting that Govts of India & Pakistan should take initiatives� for holding buyers- sellers meet of the stake holders of� industries and trade on regular basis to explore the market for the items manufactured/produced for cross LoC trade and to resolve the issue like Telecommunication facility, financial transactions through banks.