Srinagar, May 25: Terming the atmosphere in the Valley quite conducive for investment, minister for industries and commerce S S Salathia today said the government was persuading various outside industrialists to set up their ventures in Kashmir.
 Speaking at the inaugural function of ‘Green Solutions J&K’ at SKICC here today, the minister said the government was making several efforts to convince the outside industrialists to come to the Valley for investment.
 “We are organizing a big event on 28th of this month, where we are inviting many pharmaceutical companies from outside to invest here. We will hold discussions with them and ensure that we succeed to make them come here. This will help us to generate employment opportunities for our youth,” he said.
 Salathia however said the government will continue to give first preference to the local entrepreneurs. “Local entrepreneurs will remain our priority. We will provide them all the required assistance so that they will set up the industries not just to get incentives but to make entrepreneurship as their career,” he said.
 “We have already seen many outsiders coming here who wound up their project and went back. Therefore we are here to promote locals more,” he added.
 Appreciating the organizers for arranging the event the minister said the event will prove advantageous to them and they will take all benefits from it.
 “It will help us to implement our policies very well. Such deliberations and very important for the growth and development of both industries and environment,” he said.
 He said that the main motive for developing the industries in the Valley was to create more employment opportunities here.
 “We have an attractive industrial policy here and many industrialists are willing to come here and establish their units in the Valley,” he added.
 He said that the government is giving 100 per cent subsidy for the installation of pollution control devices and the entrepreneurs should take benefit of that. “Also our industry policy is the best in the country and the entrepreneurs should take its advantage,” he added.
 According to the Minister the industry in the state is still in its infancy and the major industries are yet to begin here. “We have to encourage all types of industries. I am proud to have cement industries in our state. I hope that a time will come when we will be able to export our cement to other states of the country,” he said.
 “Crushers are also very important. We will ensure that they are placed in areas where there are no human habitats. We cannot stop such industries because they are very important for building and development,” he added.
 He said that his Department and the Pollution Control Board will work on the suggestions that will come up from the conference and make efforts to be as friendly as possible with the industries in the state.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 IST