ZT News Network
Srinagar: For helping the local economy, the Business Recovery Task Force of PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter today gave a call to the people of Kashmir to “Buy Local—Think Made in Kashmir First.”
The message from PHD Kashmir Chapter is given to give boost to local economy and demand. At the most basic level, when you buy local more money stays in the community, said Baldev Singh Raina, Chairman Kashmir Chapter, PHDCCI.
Observing that “money is like blood and it needs to keep moving around to keep the economy going,” Baldev Singh Raina said “Vocal for Local’ is an undercurrent that was waiting for a trigger to become a fountain head for domestic growth and global outreach and it will strengthen the vision of our Country and help us live by our Motto of ‘Being Vocal to promote Local.
He further stated that there is huge scope in our domestic market and current pandemic situation and environment that is compelling us to opt “Buy for Local’.
Raina added that “we as responsible citizens should prefer add-on priority for the local produce of fruits and vegetables like apples, cherries, pears, almonds, walnuts etc in our functions, celebrations and day to day meals as gifts and souvenirs and to help the tourism sector of J&K. We appeal the administration to allow and promote the movement of local populace to tourist spots for stay in hotels with attractive packages of free dinner or lunch by hoteliers for local families.”
Supporting the call, prominent businessman and PHDCII J&K Chapter Patron Mushtaq Chaya said that as our valley limps through a bad shape of the economy and the poor business policies in the state, which have adversely hampered the entrepreneur of the state for past three decades, under these circumstances, to give impetus to our economy “Buy-local” campaigns can help our local economy withstand the downturn
“This is a hopeful message in a situation of economic recession and for future of our youth because it is not about how much money you have got, but how much you can keep circulating without letting it leak out”, he further said.
Therefore, we believe, it is moral responsibility of each and every one in these circumstances to support the slogan of “Buy Local.” Mr Chaya further said.
Even in the current scenario, the tourism industry can only pin its hopes on local tourists and all tourism organizations may need to customize hotel stay, restaurant food for locals at perfectly affordable price for the families of J&K, he added.
While appreciating and thanking for the significant measures announced by Chairman J&K Bank, PHD Chamber Task force, noted that J&K Bank Business Support Loan for General Trade, Hotels, and Guest Houses including SMA-1 and SMA-2 that was requested by PHD Chamber would help certain segments of trade and industry to survive the pandemic wave of COVID-19, even though the Business Fraternity of J&K is eagerly waiting for comprehensive relief and Bailout package for J&K from Central Government with effect from August-2019.
Meanwhile the Task force of PHD Chamber today prioritized the thrust areas for mitigating the issues and policy advocacy with the Government, the identified thrust areas include Tourism, Education, Sports, General Trade, Horticulture, Floriculture, Industrial Affairs, Agriculture, Handicrafts, Handloom, Carpet Industry, Livestock Farming, Automobile ,Transport, Real-estate , Infrastructure and Power sector.
Keeping in view the Social Distancing norms these sectors will be represented jointly in the form of Task Force headed by Baldev Singh Raina and Mr Mushtaq Ahamd Chaya along with Mr Jaan Muhammad Kaul, Zahoor Ahmad Tramboo, Pervez Qalander, Showket Choudhary, Himayun Wani, Bilal Kawoosa, Vicky Shaw, Tariq Ghani, and Shah Jehan.
In its first meeting the Task Force discussed the plight of the apple industry that provide livelihood for 3.5 million people of region which is already suffering huge losses due to restive situation in valley from August-2019 and it was appealed to the Lieutenant Governor that in order to ensure smooth transportation of the fruits to mandis, all necessary measures are required to be taken now on priority in order to save the backbone industry of Kashmir economy.
Among other issues discussed, the Chairman Baldev Singh Raina appraises the Chamber that the Extension in Grant of amnesty for the settlement of unresolved issues in the old tax will be granted within this month by the Finance Department.