Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday attended NITI Aayog's workshop on promotion of innovation, investment and industry in MSME sector at IIM Jammu.
In his inaugural address, the Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations to the NITI Aayog, IIM Jammu, and other stakeholders for bringing together the policy makers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for the Workshop aimed to explore challenges and opportunities in three key sectors of Jammu Kashmir's Economy- Textiles, Food Processing and Tourism.
He said such deliberation on reforms to create a growth environment will have a wide-ranging impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Union Territory of India. He emphasised that the Communication between all stakeholders of MSME sector should be deepened, reforms should be seamless and policy makers and entrepreneurs should work as partners.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated his resolve to empower Small and Micro Entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension. Food processing remains an area where we need to improve our performance and boost infrastructure in the tourism sector and accelerate development of new tourist destinations,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also spoke on the key policy interventions and institutional support extended by the government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the last few years to promote local entrepreneurship and encourage industrial development in J&K.
He said the incentives under the New Industrial Scheme have made significant strides in transforming Jammu Kashmir's Industrial landscape. The peace and favourable condition also ensured more direct investment in tourism and hospitality sector of J&K UT, the Lieutenant Governor further added.
“It is a matter of great pride for J&K that the handloom sector has been revived and through better market linkage, the products are being recognized throughout the globe. I am confident that our MSMEs in this sector will meet the new challenges and benefit from the new opportunities”, Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the significant role of private players in diversifying the tourism offerings and developing better tourist-centric facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Peace is a prerequisite for development, thriving business, and a flourishing tourism sector. We are also witnessing a rise in peace stakeholders that reflects the changed picture of Jammu and Kashmir. The UT of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the future of Jammu and Kashmir is also with India. No power in the world can separate Jammu Kashmir from India,” Sinha said.
The Workshop is a part of the NITI Aayog’s State Workshop Series - an initiative under State Support Mission.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Anurag Goyal, senior Advisor, NITI Aayog; Talat Parvez Rohella, Secretary, Planning Development & Monitoring Department; Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu; senior officials of the Government of India and the UT of J&K, entrepreneurs and experts from MSME sector were present.