Srinagar, Feb 1: Minister of state for Industries and Commerce, Sajad Kichloo today said the government was working to revamp the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir to enable it to provide livelihoods to educated youth. He said in this regard the government was working to formulate an industrial policy.
 “The continued turmoil in the state as also some other factors have stifled the growth of the industrial sector in J&K. There are so many sectors which are untapped and where we need to work,” Kichloo said after inaugurating FCIK initiative, ‘Counseling-cum-Facilitation Centre’, at Barzulla Industrial Estate.
 “We will devise an industrial policy that will look into every aspect of the industrial sector,” he said, adding that the state government was already working on various power projects to cater to the electricity requirement of industrial sector in the state.
 “Power is a cause of concern for industrialists, but the state government has taken various steps which will meet all the power requirements of the sector,” he said.
 Kichloo hailed the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir for its “endeavor” to start counseling cum facilitation centre for budding industrialists.
 “It is good that FCIK has come up with this novel concept that will encourage the youngsters to start their own industries and counsel them how to go about it.”
 The minister directed the officers of Industries and Commerce Department to facilitate timely incentive to the entrepreneurs and provide them every kind of information and assistance through electronic and print media.
 Director, Industries and Commerce Department, Mehraj ud Din Kenu said that the counseling centre would facilitate the industrial fraternity and unit holders and make them aware about different incentive schemes being provided by the state and central governments.
  “ Till date an investment of Rs 1184.55 crore has been made by the 15730 unit holders in organized and un-organized sector which are registered with the Directorate of Industries and Commerce Kashmir and providing employment to near about 69000 persons,” Kenu said, adding that “our department has registered 600 industrial units in last two years.”
 President, FCIK, Zahoor Ahmad while highlighting the features of the Counseling cum Facilitation centre said that the centre will act as bridge between budding entrepreneurs and government departments and will create awareness about the incentive schemes.
 Meanwhile the Minster also launched the website of the FCIK. The members of the chamber congratulated the minister on taking new assignment and assured them of every support.
 The function among other was attended by Director Handicrafts, Managing Director, SIDCO, MD, SICOP, MD, JK Cements and others.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Feb 2013 00:00:00 IST