Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) on Tuesday held a high-level interactive meeting with Dr Abdulhasan Aldairi, a leading business figure from the Kingdom of Bahrain, to explore avenues for economic collaboration and strengthen trade ties between Jammu and Kashmir and Bahrain.
The meeting was led by KCC&I President Javid Ahmad Tenga and Junior Vice President Farooq Amin, and focused on identifying opportunities for cooperation in key sectors including handicrafts, food processing, tourism and small and medium enterprise (SME) development.
Dr Aldairi, who is visiting the region, currently serves as Chairman of the Bahrain SMEs Society and the United Nations International SMEs Organisation (UNISMO), and as Deputy Chairman of the Bahrain Management Society. He also holds several corporate leadership roles, including Chairman of Green Foods Company and Blue Ocean Company, Deputy Chairman of Khair Holding Company, and Board Member of Nawat Holding Company.
According to KCC&I, discussions centred on creating a structured framework for bilateral engagement aimed at promoting trade and investment, strengthening SME linkages, improving market access and facilitating the exchange of expertise between the two regions. Particular emphasis was laid on collaboration in food processing, agri-based industries, handicrafts, tourism-related enterprises and capacity building.
Tourism promotion emerged as a key focus area, with deliberations on organising familiarisation tours to showcase Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism potential and encourage tourist inflows from Bahrain. The handicrafts sector was also identified as a priority area for expanding international market access and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The chamber said the proposed collaboration could open new export opportunities for the Union Territory, enhance global exposure for local enterprises and attract foreign investment, while generating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for SMEs.
“This engagement with Bahrain represents a significant opportunity for our business community,” KCC&I President Javid Ahmad Tenga said, adding that the chamber is committed to strengthening international economic ties and creating avenues for trade, investment and enterprise development in Jammu and Kashmir.
KCC&I reaffirmed its commitment to working with the administration to promote trade, industry and investment in the Union Territory with a view to supporting sustained economic growth and greater global integration.
