Srinagar, Jun 29: Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Ajay Sahai on Monday said that Jammu & Kashmir’s exports have grown by 35 per cent, increasing from USD 227 million to USD 307 million in the financial year 2025-26.
Speaking at the J&K International Buyer-Seller Meet at SKICC, Srinagar, Sahai said Jammu & Kashmir has also improved its ranking in the export Preparedness Index and is now second among the hilly states, expressing confidence that the Union Territory will soon reach the top position.
Sahai said exports from Jammu & Kashmir are steadily increasing in pharmaceuticals, embroidered garments, shawls, stoles, mufflers, chemicals, handicrafts, carpets, walnuts, saffron and hand tools.
He said pharmaceuticals, apparel and textiles and chemicals account for nearly 70 per cent of the Union Territory’s exports, making it important to develop new export sectors.
He said Jammu & Kashmir has strong potential in medical and diagnostic equipment, medicinal and aromatic plants, horticulture, agro and processed food, handicrafts, handloom and GI-tagged products and urged entrepreneurs to explore these areas.
Sahai also said the Union Territory should focus on exporting services in addition to tourism. He said wellness, healthcare, fishing tourism, craft tourism, filmmaking, IT, IT-enabled services and data centres can become important sources of exports and employment.
Highlighting the uneven distribution of exports, Sahai said Kathua, Srinagar, Jammu and Samba together contribute nearly 98 per cent of J&K’s exports, while the remaining 16 districts account for less than two per cent.
“This is where the real opportunity lies,” he said, adding that FIEO plans to organise awareness programmes in Anantnag and Shopian to encourage more entrepreneurs to enter the export business.
Calling e-commerce a major opportunity, Sahai said all 18 GI-tagged products of Jammu & Kashmir can find larger international markets through online platforms.
He said the Central Government’s Export Promotion Mission offers credit support of up to Rs 15 lakh for e-commerce exporters, 2.75 per cent interest subvention and financial assistance of up to 30 per cent, with a maximum limit of Rs 10 crore, for e-commerce export infrastructure.
Sahai said logistics continues to be one of the biggest challenges for exporters in Jammu & Kashmir.
He also called for setting up more Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and upgrading air cargo facilities so that exporters can send goods directly from Jammu & Kashmir instead of routing them through Delhi or Mumbai.
He also asked exporters to make use of the Centre’s LEADS Scheme, under which exporters from hilly states can receive 30 per cent support on air freight costs, up to Rs 20 lakh per Import Export Code (IEC) holder.
Talking about international markets, Sahai said Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for nearly 45 to 50 per cent of J&K’s exports.
He said India’s existing and upcoming Free Trade Agreements, including the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, will create fresh opportunities for exporters from Jammu & Kashmir.
He said buyers from Canada, Australia, Europe, GCC countries and ASEAN nations are participating in the Buyer-Seller Meet and urged local businesses to use the platform to build international trade partnerships.
Sahai said Jammu & Kashmir has the potential to become a major export hub if more entrepreneurs come forward, new sectors are developed, logistics improve and businesses fully utilise the opportunities available in global markets—(KNO)
