PRESS RELEASE
Jammu Kashmir Textile Sourcing
Fair (JKTSF) 2024 Concludes today at SKUAST Srinagar: Showcasing Jammu &
Kashmir’s Rich Textile Heritage to Global Audiences
The
event was formally inaugurated on 28th November 2024 by Sh. Manoj
Sinha, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, in virtual mode, who
presided as the Chief Guest. Sh.
Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Industries &
Commerce Department, Sh. Saurabh Bhagat: Commissioner/Secretary to the
Government, Science and Technology Department, Sh. Vijay Kumar Bidhuri,
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir; Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Hon'ble Vice
Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, Sh. Khalid Jahangir, Managing Director, Jammu
& Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization, Sh. Khalid Majeed; Director
Industries and Commerce Department Kashmir, and Mr. N. Sreedhar, Executive
Director of HEPC were present on the
occasion.
In
his Keynote Address, Sh. Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and
Kashmir, underscored the significance of elevating the region's iconic textile
crafts, including Pashmina, Kani, and Sozni embroidery, to the global stage.Sh. Manoj Sinha, congratulated JKTPO and the
Industries and Commerce Department for their efforts in showcasing the region's
rich cultural and industrial heritage. He highlighted handloom and handicrafts,
such as Pashmina and Crewel, as the anmol virasat (precious heritage) of
J&K, reflecting its unique identity and artistry, adding that the J&K
Textile Sourcing Fair initiated last year has become a rallying point for
buyers. Sh. Manoj Sinha acknowledged the role of foreign and national buyers in
enhancing market linkages and noted J&K’s improved position in the Export
Preparedness Index. He praised initiatives the
efforts of JKTPO for conducting programs like the Textile Sourcing Fair for empowering artisans, boosting the economy,
and preserving the cultural legacy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sh. Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary of Industries and Commerce,
highlighted that the fair marks the beginning of a tradition aimed at promoting
trade and exports while fostering economic prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. He
emphasized the importance of such platforms in enabling artisans to forge
connections that transcend borders.
Dr.
Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir also addressed the
gathering on the occasion.
Sh. Khalid Jahangir, Managing Director of JKTPO, presented vote of
thanks and extended heartfelt gratitude to the Sh. Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble LG
J&K, for gracing the occasion and delivering the keynote address. He also
thanked other dignitaries, participants, and stakeholders for their invaluable support
and active participation in the event, particularly VC SKUAST Sringar for
providing immense cooperation in successful conduct of the event.
Earlier Sh. N. Sreedhar, Executive Director of HEPC, welcomed the
esteemed dignaitaries present at the inaugural ceremony and hailed the
initiative of JKTPO and highlighted the
importance of collaborative efforts in preserving and promoting the cultural
heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
Over
70 local sellers, showcasing an array of handcrafted products, including
intricate shawls, Pashmina suits, resplendent sarees, Basohli paintings,
crewelwork, paper mache, and chain stitch creations. The event has attracted
more than 50 national and international buyers from countries such as
Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Quwait, UK, Duestcheland, Egypt, Bangladesh,
Sri Lanka, etc. Visitors had the opportunity to witness the region’s rich
artistry and explore high-quality, handcrafted products known for their
uniqueness and cultural significance.
The
event facilitates meaningful interactions between artisans and buyers, ensuring
economic upliftment for the artisan community and the promotion of Kashmir’s
rich art and culture.
The
Two-Day event garnered immense interest from both buyers and exhibitors. The
event saw a remarkable turnout, with a significant number of participants
engaging in meaningful interactions and business discussions. The overwhelming
response is a testament to the event's relevance and effectiveness in
facilitating connections between industry stakeholders, achieving significant
milestones in sales and lead generation. The two days event recorded sample
sales amounting to Rs 54.00 lacs and confirmed business orders worth ₹10.3
crores, as per the tentative information shared by buyers/sellers, were placed.
Furthermore, the fair generated an impressive 904 leads which highlight the
fair's success as a platform for fostering business opportunities and
strengthening the textile sector.
Earlier,
in August 2023, the inaugural edition of the Jammu & Kashmir Textile
Sourcing Fair was successfully organized at the University of Kashmir,
showcasing the region's rich and diverse textile heritage. The event attracted
50 buyers from different parts of the country and around the world,
underscoring the global appeal of Jammu and Kashmir's exceptional
craftsmanship. It prominently featured GI-tagged Pashmina products alongside an
impressive array of handloom and handicrafts, including meticulously handcrafted
and hand-knotted creations. This landmark event achieved significant commercial
success, generating orders worth ₹12 crore and facilitating substantial on-spot
sales. Beyond highlighting the unparalleled artistry of the region, it firmly
established Jammu and Kashmir as a prominent hub for premium textile products
in global markets.
Given these achievements, the JK Textile Sourcing Fair has
solidified its status as an essential annual event that not only boosts the
local economy but also enhances the global visibility of the Jammu and Kashmir
textile industry, making it a cornerstone for future growth and development.