ASSOCHAM (Associate Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India) leaders met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here and discussed various issues, particularly investment prospects in Jammu & Kashmir and also Northeast. In a discussion lasting nearly 30 minutes, All India Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, Saurabh Sanyal and other members of the Managing Committee showed enthusiasm and curiosity about the emerging investment and trade prospects in Jammu & Kashmir, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the introduction of new administrative and political arrangement from 31st of October. They said, Jammu & Kashmir had lot of unexplored potential, which was waiting to be utilized to its optimum extent. The ASSOCHAM leaders also conveyed their inclination to promote young Start-Up groups to set-up entrepreneurship in the region. They also offered to collaborate and support the efforts of local Start-Ups in the region. Dr Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that with the new arrangement coming in place, Jammu & Kashmir will be able to avail of the enormous opportunities and avenues as far as trade, business and investment is concerned. He said, in the new set-up, there will definitely be ease of business with scaling down of the barriers that existed in the past. Referring to the goal of 5 – Trillion dollar economy set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India today is looked up by the entire world as an important business destination as well as business collaborator. In this changing scenario, he said, nobody had a right to deprive the youth of Jammu & Kashmir from being a part of India’s global ascent in economy and therefore, the resolute decision taken by Prime Minister Modi with regard to Jammu & Kashmir has undone the injustice of last seven decades. Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed the hope that in the years to come, the youth of Jammu & Kashmir will be able to find means of livelihood within Jammu & Kashmir instead of having to move out to other parts of the country.
