Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: Financial Commissioner (Industries and Commerce) Khursheed Ahmad Ganie today asked Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) to play more pro-active role in stopping misbranding of Kashmiri handicrafts across the globe.
Addressing the inaugural function of 5th International Buyer-Seller Meet at SKICC here, Khursheed said that misbranding has played havoc with Kashmiri handicrafts. He said serious thought should be given so that the lost glory of the traditional handicrafts for which Kashmir is known across the world is regained.
"The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry should take up the responsibility of regaining the lost glory of Kashmiri handcrafts. It should be our endeavour to defeat the machine made products since they have brought a bad name to Kashmir and Kashmiri original products. The chamber should take a lead in this regard and this should be done without further delay," said the Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce.
Khursheed said that the international buyer-seller meet is a tribute and homage to the 'golden hands' of Kashmir since they make beautiful products. He asked the buyers to place orders and buy things without any worry since world class products would be available to them during the meet.
President KCCI, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said the international buyer-seller meet provides an opportunity to the artisans and exporters of Kashmir to showcase the genuine Kashmiri products. Ashiq said that buyer-seller meet has become an annual feature in Kashmir over the past five years now adding that such a meet brings sellers in direct contact with buyers from across the globe.
"This is an occasion to exhibit genuine products of Kashmir and I am confident the buyers would really appreciate the products that are on display here. Innovation and modernity is being kept in consideration by the artisans and exporters of Kashmir. This too would be noticed by the buyers during the three day meet," said Ashiq.
The KCCI President exuded confidence that the buyers would act as the ambassadors and carry out the message that Kashmir is safe destination for visiting and placing orders for world class products. He said the basic objective of the buyer-seller meet is to preserve the 'golden hands' and handicrafts of Kashmir.
"We are dedicating this year's international buyer-seller meet to the artisans and weavers who over the years played an important in preserving the traditional arts and crafts of Kashmir. Events like the buyer-seller meet help in disseminating the information that Kashmir is a safe place for holding international events," said Ashiq.
The KCCI President said that majority of the exhibitors at the international buyer-seller meet are the members of KCCI. He said the chamber would welcome artisans and master craftsman if they wish to be the part of the international buyer-seller meet. He said the results of previous buyer-seller meets have been encouraging for the overall business community of Kashmir.
Seventy five (75) buyers from 28 countries are taking part in the buyer-seller meet. The buyers belong to countries like Hong Kong, Europe, Palestine, Russia, Brazil, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Belgium, China, Italy, Netherlands, Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Germany, United States of America, England, Canada, Slovakia, Dubai, Australia, Egypt, Singapore, Tunisia and Israel. |
