Farhan Kitab seeks financial assistance, institutional support and safeguards for local retailers
SRINAGAR, October 15: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Kashmir Chapter, has called for coordinated action by the government, financial institutions and other stakeholders to revive Kashmir’s trade sector amid concerns over financial stress and declining business activity.
Farhan Kitab, president of the CAIT Kashmir Chapter, raised the issues during a recent meeting with Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament and CAIT national general secretary, in New Delhi. Sumit Agarwal, CAIT national joint secretary and in charge of Kashmir, was also present.
Kitab said traders had faced years of uncertainty and financial difficulties, stressing the need to shift the focus from sustaining businesses to reviving commercial activity.
He called for improved access to working capital, appropriate financial relief, simplified regulatory procedures, better market infrastructure and policies addressing the specific challenges faced by businesses in Kashmir.
Kitab also highlighted the need to protect local retailers from unfair competition, particularly practices that place traditional neighbourhood shops at a disadvantage against large online platforms.
He said the Kashmir chapter would work with CAIT’s national leadership to raise traders’ concerns at appropriate forums and seek practical measures to address them.
“Our traders deserve meaningful representation, institutional support and a clear roadmap for revival,” Kitab said, calling for closer coordination between the trading community, government departments and financial institutions.
The CAIT Kashmir Chapter said it would continue engaging with the organisation’s national leadership and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the local retail sector and support livelihoods across Kashmir.
