Srinagar, May 14: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the 4th International Buyer – Seller Meet at SKICC here.  
 Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister stressed the need for using innovative techniques to upgrade the handicraft sector. “We need to train our artisans and craftsmen in new techniques and developing new designs to attract foreign buyers.”
 Omar said: “Some unscrupulous dealers in Kashmir are defaming Valley’s heritage handicraft.”
 He added: “Selling staple carpets in the name of silk carpets, adding wooden powder in saffron and passing on Nepali shawls as Kashmiri pashmina have ruined our image and we need to shun the malpractices if we want to retain our buyers.”
 “We have seen the days when our tourism and trade were booming, but we have also witnessed the days of bust,” he said.
 He added: “We have seen the times also when only buyer-seller meet was organized by Defence Ministry as no tourist was willing to visit this place because of turmoil and violence.”
 The chief minister said: “Government is playing its part. We have set up many craft development centres, leather development institute to give impetus to our handicraft sector.”
 While expressing his happiness over “growing influx” of tourists, Omar said: “It is good for our economy that tourists are visiting Kashmir in large numbers and we need to treat them in a way that back home they promote Kashmir as a safe tourist destination.”
 “We have also started water taxis in Jehlum which few years ago no one would have imagined,” the CM said.
 On Buyer–Seller Meet, he said: “I hope the meet will help everyone, especially those craftsmen and artisans who work tirelessly behind the looms to make a carpet or a shawl.”
 While lauding the role of JK Bank, CM said: “The Bank has provided financial assistance to artisans, but more needs to be done in this regard.”
 The CM also praised the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising the Meet in which buyers from different countries are participating. 
 Minister for Industries and Commerce, SS Slathia speaking on the occasion said: “We need to showcase our art and culture to world and also learn from others.  It is a paradigm shift that we are moving from violence to normalcy.”
 Minster of State for Home and Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani said: “I am happy that KCCI is organizing the meet. But we need more buyers than sellers. At this moment it seems that we have more sellers than buyers.”
 “State government has developed new tourist destinations and we need to open new clusters in these destinations to woo more and more tourists, “Wani said.
 President KCCI, Abdul Hamid Punjabi also spoke on the occasion. Senior Vice president KCCI Nazir Ahmad Wani presented vote of thanks.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 IST