Srinagar, Jan 15, : The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday organized an interactive session with senior officials of the Customs Department at the Chamber office to deliberate on key issues confronting exporters from Jammu and Kashmir and to explore measures for smoother export operations from the region.
The interaction was attended by Sanjay Gupta, Chief Commissioner, Customs Preventive Zone, Delhi; Alok Srivastava, Commissioner, Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Amritsar; Buddhi Prakash; Puneet Gunawat; and Purushottam Gupta.
President KCC&I Javid Ahmad Tenga welcomed the Customs officials and appreciated their willingness to engage directly with exporters and industry stakeholders. The meeting was attended by members of the executive committee, past presidents of the Chamber, and a large number of exporter members.
In his address, Tenga highlighted major concerns faced by exporters, including drawback related issues, procedural and compliance challenges, and the infrastructure deficit at Srinagar International Airport, particularly in cargo handling facilities and operational constraints during adverse weather conditions. He said these bottlenecks adversely affect the competitiveness of exports from the Kashmir region.
Outlining the Chamber’s vision, Tenga emphasized the need to substantially increase exports and said KCC&I aims to work towards doubling exports through improved infrastructure, facilitative Customs procedures, and supportive policy interventions. He stressed the urgent requirement to upgrade export infrastructure on a war footing basis and reiterated the long pending demand for the establishment of an Inland Container Depot in the region.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, including Vishal Sharma and Shabir Ahmad Reshi. The bank officials shared the banking sector’s perspective on challenges faced by exporters, particularly regarding issuance of electronic bank realization certificates, timelines, procedural requirements, and extension of export bills.
A detailed question and answer session formed a key part of the interaction, during which exporters directly raised operational and procedural issues and sought clarifications from Customs officials on drawback processing, documentation, cargo movement, and airport logistics.
Sanjay Gupta assured exporters that genuine concerns would be examined at appropriate levels, while Alok Srivastava reiterated the Customs Department’s commitment to trade facilitation alongside regulatory compliance.
Past President KCC&I Rauf Ahmad Punjabi presented a vote of thanks and requested Customs officials to organize an awareness workshop for exporters. The Chief Commissioner welcomed the suggestion and assured that an awareness workshop would be organized in Srinagar in April. [KNT]
