A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), led by its President Javid Ahmad Tenga, along with Junior Vice President, Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi,  Secretary General Faiz Bakshi and Executive Committee Member Muhammad Latief Bhat, Past President Abdul Majid Matto  held an interactive meeting in Srinagar with the Chief Commissioner, Delhi Customs (Preventive), Shri Sanjay Gupta, and the Commissioner, Amritsar Customs (Preventive), Shri Alok Srivastava, both of whom also hold charge of Jammu & Kashmir. 

The meeting, attended by a number of exporters and trade representatives from across the Valley, was convened to deliberate on pressing issues faced by the export sector in Kashmir and to explore measures for their resolution.

 KCCI brought to the notice of the visiting Customs officials several challenges confronting local exporters, including procedural delays, inadequate infrastructure, and logistical constraints. Prominent among the issues raised was the long-pending demand for the establishment of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in the Valley to streamline export operations and reduce dependency on facilities outside Jammu and Kashmir.

 The delegation also stressed the urgent need for proper airport handling facilities, enhanced safety measures for export consignments, and the creation of dedicated warehousing infrastructure at Srinagar International Airport to ensure secure storage and smooth processing of goods meant for international markets. Addressing these gaps, it was emphasised, would significantly boost the competitiveness of Kashmiri products, particularly handicrafts, handlooms, and horticulture produce, in the global marketplace.

The Chief Commissioner and Commissioner assured KCCI that the issues raised would be taken up with the relevant authorities at the earliest possible time. They acknowledged the importance of improving export-related facilities in Kashmir and expressed their willingness to work closely with stakeholders to address bottlenecks.

President KCCI, Javid Ahmad Tenga, expressed his appreciation to the Customs officers for convening the meeting and extended his gratitude to the officials in Kashmir for their prompt and constructive responses. He acknowledged their cooperation and commitment in addressing the matters discussed

KCCI expressed appreciation to the Customs authorities for engaging directly with exporters in Srinagar and emphasised the need for continued interaction to help build a more facilitative trade environment in the Union Territory.