New Delhi, Nov 28 (KNN) Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) has demanded opening of new cross LOC trade routes for industrial sector of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Chairman of FOIJ, Lalit Mahajan, said that it is difficult for MSMEs to sell their products in the neighboring state.

If an opportunity is provided to the unit holders to sell their products through cross LOC trade, it will boost the confidence of the industrial units and overall economic development of the state, he said.

Mahajan also appreciated the steps taken by the previous state government to explore the market avenues by opening the new routes for cross LOC trade for the Industrial Sector of J&K.

This was done to provide relief to the MSME sector who is suffering due to locational disadvantages and shallow market avenues, he said.

"At present the MSME sector is producing the quality products in our state which includes ferrous and non- ferrous products, health care products, and other allied products but unable to sell their products through cross LOC trade due to non-inclusion of majority of items in the present Standard operating procedure (SOP)," he mentioned.

For achieving dual goals of economic development and peace building using a market development intervention, we strongly suggest that all goods being manufactured in J&K be brought into the ambit of LOC Trade, he said.

He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik to explore the possibilities for opening of new routes for cross LOC trade.

Mahajan also requested opening of Suchetgarh (Jammu District) route for international trade of goods with other part of Pakistan on the pattern of Wagha Border to explore new market for local industry.