Submits representation to Parliamentary standing Committee on Commerce at Leh
JK News Today
Leh (Ladakh), August 27:
The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) today proposed UT level line of credit/winter loan for Ladakh industries and setting up Ladakh Trade Promotion Organisation (LTPO) on the line of JKTPO.
The ASSOCHAM delegation comprise of Gourav Mahajan, Regional Director, ASSOCHAM North and Amit Khajuria, Assistant Director, ASSOCHAM J&K, Ladakh accompanied with Gelek Phunchuk, a local young entrepreneur today met the parliamentary standing Committee of Commerce, led by Hon’ble Member Parliament, V Vijayasai Reddy at Leh on Friday.
“Ladakh is a place which remains shut for almost six months and the manufacturers of this UT cannot sell their products in the market during that period. They need some financial support like line of credit or winter loan for this period at a lesser rate of interest, so that they can buy raw material by September-October and sell their products in the market in March-April,’ said Gourav Mahajan, Regional Director, ASSOCHAM North.
“Ladakh has lot of potential, but the entrepreneurs of this newly formed UT need government’s handholding and more awareness campaigns on government schemes and policies, specifically during this transition phase.,” he added.
ASSOCHAM also informed the committee that Ladakh has lot of exclusive products which needs to be showcased and promoted on national and international platforms.
“To promote the exclusive products from Ladakh like Pashmina, apricot, seabuckthorn etc. Ladakh needs a dedicated Trade promotion Organisation on the Line of J&K Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) in. Such organisation can help local entrepreneurs to take the Ladakhi products to international markets,” said Amit Khajuria, Assistant Director and state Head for J&K, Ladakh.
“Most of the entrepreneurs of Ladkah are first generation entrepreneurs, the labour is not skilled, and they are lacking exposure. Government should organise some skill development programmes in Ladakh so that they can produce best quality products on competitive rates,” he added.
ASSOCHAM also suggested Subsidy/ Concession on Freight as it is a landlocked UT with a very difficult terrain and most of the products are being exported and imported by air only.
