New Delhi, Feb 26 (KNN) Business sentiments amongst MSME entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) seems to be low due to the environment of stress post Pulwama attack.

The unrest amongst the entrepreneurs of J&K is also because of regular demonstrations, ceasefire violations and protest against revoking Article 35A.

In order to boost the confidence amongst the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), MSME Development Organization is holding a three-day MSME Conference District Udyam Samaagam in Srinagar next month. 

A meeting was also organized by Director of Industries and Commerce, Mahmood A Shah, to review the arrangements.  Officers of JKEDI, KVIB, KVIC, SIDCO, SICOP, Technical Education, NIT Srinagar and University of Kashmir also attended the meeting.

Talking to KNN India, President of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association, Bashir Ahmad Kongposh said that the maximum effect of the attack has been on the traders.

Every another day there are some or the other restrictions on trading or there is a curfew, how will the traders of J&K do trading in such a situation, he said.

Further adding to the grief he said that, “We don’t even get proper information about the events that take place for benefiting the state due to terrorism. We will get nothing from attacking each other, there is a need for some firm discussion to take place on a round table.”

All we want is that the situation to change fast so that people of J&K can do business and generate some income, Kongposh said.

According to a report, goods worth Rs 3432.94 crore were traded between business establishments of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) via two LoC points of Chakan-Da-Bagh and Salamabad along the Indo-Pak border during last three years.

Earlier this month Centre withdrew the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan and escalate the basic customs import duty to 200% with immediate effect has taken its toll on the bilateral trade through the Attari-Wagah joint check post, which has affected the traders immensely.

Amid risen tensions between India and Pakistan post Pulwama attack, Cross Line of Control trade between Indian and Pakistani authorities resumed from February 21, 2019 with goods laden trucks started to move across from zero point on LoC.

While talking to KNN India, President of MSME association in Jammu, Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA), Lalit Mahajan said that the event taking place by MSME Development Organization in Srinagar next month will depend entirely upon what will be the situation of the state.

He further said that there is no certainty about the future events, the situation is very critical right now in J&K. (KNN/JM)