It is no hearsay,no exaggeration but a total and undiluted as well as concentrated truth that Meaden GCC summit will heap of economic opportunities on Jammu and Kashmir and will boost the economic growth of this region. A historic opportunity knocks at the door of J &K which will transform this Himalayan region into an emerging hub of technology, innovation, investment and skilled employment .Jammu and Kashmir stands at an important crossroads in its economic journey .Blessed with natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, an educate3d and aspirational younger generation, and enormous potential in tourism, agriculture, horticulture ,floriculture, and handicrafts ,the UT now has an opportunity to diversify its economic foundations and create new avenues of prosperity. The J&K Global Capability Centre [ GCC] Summit 2026,scheduled for 9—10 October 2026 at IIM Jammu ,represents an important initiative in this direction. Organised by IIM Jammu in collaboration with the government of Jammu and Kashmir, with NASSCOM as its knowledge partner, the summit aims to attract investments, generate skilled employment and establish Jammu &Kashmir as an emerging destination for technology -driven enterprises. More, than 300 delegates, including policymakers’ industry leaders, investors, and academic experts, are arriving to participate in the first ever GCC summit at IIM Jagti Jammu. The summit is significant because it offers J &K an opportunity to look beyond traditional economic activities and participate in rapidly expanding global digital economy. .Its,success however, will ultimately depend on whether the discussions lead to actual investment, new businesses employment opportunities and sustainable economic development. Before examining. its economic implications, it is important to understand what a Global Capability Centre actually is? A Global Capability Centre is a facility established by a company to undertake specialised business operations, technology development, research, analytics and other strategic functions. These, centres often serve the company’s operations across multiple countries. Unlike a conventional outsourcing arrangement, a GCC generally operates as an integral part of the parent company’s organisational structure. India has emerged as a major destination for such centres because of its large talent pool, technological capabilities established business ecosystem and comparatively competitive operating costs. The summit organisers identify India’s GCC ecosystem as a substantial source of employment, and export earnings with opportunities increasingly extending beyond traditional metropolitan centres to Tier -2 and Tier-3 cities. This changing geographical pattern creates an opportunity for Jammu &Kashmir. For decades, the principal destinations for India’s technology industry have included Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai and Gurugram. .However, companies are increasingly interested in exploring additional locations that can provide skilled employees reliable infrastructure, competitive costs, and a supportive business environment. Jammu &Kashmir can seek to benefit from this diversification. The GCC Summit is therefore not merely another business conference. It is an opportunity to introduce J&K to an expanding segment of the global economy and develop a credible strategy for attracting technology—intensive investment.

Why the GCC Summit is important for J&K----The economic challenges confronting Jammu &Kashmir require a comprehensive and forward -looking response. Traditional sectors such as tourism, horticulture, agriculture, handicrafts and government services remain i9mportant source of economic activity. Nevertheless, the region also needs industries capable of generating high-value employment, attracting private investment and providing sustainable career opportunities to educated young people. A well -developed GCC ecosystem could contribute to these objectives in several ways. First ,it could attract companies that bring capital, technology and professional expertise into the region. Second, it could create employment opportunities for graduates in computer science, engineering, management, commerce, mathematics, and other disciplines. Third, it could encourage the establishment of supporting enterprises, including cybersecurity firms, software -development companies, professional training institutions and business -service providers. Fourth, it could help diversify the economy by reducing excessive dependence on a limited number of traditional sectors. Finally, it could strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s integration with India’s national technology ecosystem and international business networks. The Summit’s stated agenda includes investment promotion, policy facilitation, workforce development, technology and innovation and the preparation of a roadmap for developing J&K as a GCC destination. These objectives are particularly relevant at a time when young people increasingly aspire to careers that offer professional growth, financial independence, and exposure to international business. The central challenge is to convert these aspirations into opportunities within Jammu and Kashmir itself.
The greatest potential benefit of the GCC initiative lies in its capacity to create skilled employment. Unemployment and underemployment among educated young people remain important concerns fort Jammu and Kashmir. However, the availability of educational qualifications does not automatically translate into suitable employment. The establishment of GCC’s could gradually change this situation. Many positions could offer young professionals opportunities to develop specialised skills and gain experience working with international organisations.
One of the most social benefits would be the possibility of reducing employment driven migration. When qualified young people leaver J&K due to shortage of jobs, the region loses not only talent but also a part of its future entrepreneurial capacity. Many young professionals who migrate establish their careers elsewhere, while their families remain in Jammu, Srinagar or other places in J&K. When GCC’s and relevant technology businesses develop locally, some of these professionals may be able to build successful careers without permanently leaving their home region. The objective should be to create a growing ecosystem of high-quality employment rather than to treat the summit as an instant solution to unemployment .The decision to host the summit at IIM Jammu is strategically important. Jammu has several characteristics that could support the development of a technology n sand business -services ecosystem. The presence of IIM Jammu provides an institutional platform for discussions involving business leaders ,policymakers ,management professionals and academic experts. The summit could help position Jammu as a potential destination for companies seeking to expand beyond India’s largest technology centres. (To Be Continued)

Email:----------------------onkoul2019@gmail.com