Jammu, Feb 8: Representatives of different segments of trade in Jammu today urged the government to set up export promotion boards in J&K.
 At a pre-budget meeting today with state finance minister, the representatives made a number of suggestions aimed to “promote trade, commerce and industry in the state.”
 In their list of demands the traders/industrialists suggested setting up of wholesale markets outside city limits, land acquisition for new industrial units, awareness tours for entrepreneurs, issuance of guidelines for eco-tourism, etc.
 The trade representatives also suggested setting up of horticulture and export promotion boards in J&K, opening of Nowshera-Mirpur and Suchetgarh-Sialkote routes across LoC for boosting economy of the region and developing them as  tourist attractions.
 They also called for better connectivity, jobs for technically trained youth, encouragement for joint ventures between local entrepreneurs and outside concerns, regular intellectual exercises like seminars on issues like energy audit, carbon credit etc. and use of non conventional energy for street lighting. 
 The representatives suggested adoption of uniform tax structure in line with other states in J&K.
 Among those who met the Minister and came up with suggestions included delegations of Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI), Associated Chamber of Traders Federation (ACTF), Federation of Industries (FOI) of Samba, Gangyal, Bari Brahmna, Birpur and Kathua industrial estates, Retailers Federation, Electric Dealers Federation, Dry Fruit Dealers Association, Warehouse Traders Association, Ply board Dealers Association, Brick Klin Owners Association etc.
 Describing the proposed General Sales Tax as a trader friendly law, the FM said the Central Government is bringing an amendment in the Parliament to empower States for it, the draft of which is with the Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers, of which he is the chairman. He said the new toll plaza at Lakhanpur is almost ready to end congestion and complaints of traders.
 Economic Advisor,   Jalil Ahmad Khan, Commissioner-Secretary, Finance,   Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Khawaja Bashir, Excise Commissioner,   G. A. Peer and other officers were present in the meeting. Besides, President, JCCI,   Y.V. Sharma, President, ACTF,   Yash Pal, Chairman, FOA,   T.S. Reen and other representatives of several segments of industry also attended the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST