Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 8: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that he would recommend opening of Jammu-Sialkote route for travel and trade to the Central Government so that it takes up this issue with Pakistan to initiate yet another important Confidence Building Measure (CBM).
Responding to a demand to this effect made by Federation of Industries, Jammu at its meeting with the Chief Minister here, Omar said that opening of this route for travel and trade would not only enhance people to people contact but give considerable fillip to the trade activities.
He said that while issues of opening of other routes and trade points across LoC figured in the priority list of his Government, he would advocate opening of Jammu-Sailkote travel and trade point on the International Border adding that it would prove highly beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to travel and undertake various economic activities.
The Chief Minister said that the banking facilities for LoC trade and enhancing the list of tradable items have already been taken up with the Union Government. He said that these are the issues to be mutually agreed by the two countries. He expressed the hope that the relations between the two neighbours will improve further and trade and travel activities enhance.
Omar said that his Government is taking all steps to encourage industrialization in the State adding that various packages of concessions are available to the investors to invest in the State. He said his Government would render all possible help to the industrialists to open their concerns across the State particularly in the Valley where industrialization has not taken up due to militancy and remoteness.
He said young and budding entrepreneurs in the State are encouraged and assisted to open ventures in feasible areas especially in the sectors of agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, animal and Sheep husbandry, software engineering, information technology, etc.
The Federation of Industries, Jammu led by its Chairman, Annil Suri also raised the matters pertaining to Government of India package of incentives to J&K industry, transport subsidy on raw materials and finished products, income tax exemption, establishment of mother industry, Cross-LoC trade, infrastructure development, VAT refund from SICOP, upgradation of Satwari-Kunjwani road, construction of new Balole bridge, installation of traffic lights at SIDCO Bari Brahamana Chowk and creation of new industrial estates.
Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana and Principal Secretary Planning, B. B. Vyas were present in the meeting.
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