Assocham to organise a meet in Srinagar in mid-Oct

CHANDIGARH: Industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) would be organising an industrial meet in Srinagar in mid-October to woo investors for making investments in the state.

"Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is keen that a positive industrial climate is created in the state for investors. Under this meet, among other things, we will have an exhibition of state's handicrafts and a seminar on how to cultivate the vast tourism potential," Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot told PTI here today.

"We want to tell the investors that both state and the central governments are providing lots of concessions and benefits to those willing to invest in J&K. When people like us go there (to the valley) with a delegation, it does help build confidence among investors and we can assure them the worst part is over and the state has almost returned normalcy," he said.

Dhoot, who is also Videocon Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director, when asked said, "we don't think heavy industry should go to Kashmir. But light engineering industry, electronic industry, agro processing, handicraft and carpet industry are the key areas."

He said that Assocham, which has a separate J&K wing, is also focusing on how to give a boost to the tourism sector in the state and has been tapping several groups which may be interested in setting up hotels there.