Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 17: A delegation of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir met Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta at Civil Secretariat Srinagar and discussed ways and means to work on mutually beneficial schemes for the empowerment of youth of J&K and make the Union Territory world’s most business friendly destination.
The delegation was headed by Baldev Singh Raina along with Executive Member Muhammad Shafi Tramboo, Shahana Fatima and Deputy Director PHDCCI-Kashmir. The delegation placed on record sincere appreciation to the Government for comprehensive and robust response to the raging Covid-19 pandemic and also appreciated the Government reforms, and approval of liberalized sports and Education policy.
Baldev Singh Raina suggested to organize J&K Diaspora Investors Meet enabling local players to invest and to interact and tie-up with national and international players with an organized B2B Meet for domiciles of J&K.
The other issues that were discussed, include Amnesty for the arrears under old Tax Regime (VAT), extension for filing of pending claims of budgetary support in the shape of reimbursement of state taxes for all Quarters of FY 2020-21, extension of Gulmarg and Pahalgam lease, incentive/ subsidy to investors for employing local unemployed youth of J&K, revival of master plan, implementation of administrative measures announced under Revival of Business Sector in UT of J&K on 25th Sept-2020, business friendly supportive environment and handholding by banks, rehabilitation policy for sick MSME that has been put in abeyance. The delegation also raised the issues of homegrown apples that have been facing a stiff competition from duty- free apples via India-Afghanistan Free Trade Agreement.
The Chief Secretary listened to the delegation attentively. Stating that J&K Government had been focusing on youth empowerment, he gave outlines of the UT Government’s initiatives in setting up of world class business environment by substantial progress on minimizing regulatory compliance burden with streamlining and simplifying the overall domestic business environment even further with an aim to break into the top 10 ranking of Ease of Doing Business. He further added that the Government is determined to improve the overall quality of manufacturing and services and provide employment opportunities to the youth of J&K in a transparent manner. Towards the end of the meeting, Chief Secretary said that he would consider all suggestions and make decisions accordingly.
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