Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday stressed the need to complement Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism success story with equally robust industrial growth, urging industry leaders to view the Union Territory as a viable and promising investment destination.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday stressed the need to complement Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism success story with equally robust industrial growth, urging industry leaders to view the Union Territory as a viable and promising investment destination.
Addressing the 4th meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Regional Council 2025-26 in Srinagar, the Chief Minister acknowledged that while tourism has recently been in the spotlight, industrial growth has not received the same attention.
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He assured stakeholders that the government is committed to correcting this imbalance by strengthening the investment ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Tourism is one part of our growth story, but the other part that requires equal attention is industrialization,” Omar Abdullah said while interacting with business leaders.
“Jammu and Kashmir remains an attractive place for investment despite challenges, and we are committed to making it easier and more rewarding for industry to operate here.”
The Chief Minister presented an overview of ongoing investments and incentives in J&K, noting that industrial hubs such as Kathua, Samba, Bari Brahmana in Jammu, and Lassipora in Kashmir continue to attract significant capital inflows.
He highlighted recent government efforts to simplify procedures, while candidly admitting shortcomings in the single-window clearance system:
“We must ensure that our ‘single window’ is truly a single window — not one that leads to a ventilator, then an exhaust fan, and eventually nowhere. I have directed the Industries Department to engage directly with recent investors and learn from their experiences to fix this system once and for all.”
Omar Abdullah underlined J&K’s comparative advantages, including cheaper land and electricity than neighbouring regions, GST reimbursement benefits, and the availability of skilled labour. He urged manufacturers to explore investor-friendly sectors where J&K offers a competitive edge, particularly in light of the new GST rate slabs.
On the perception-versus-reality gap regarding peace and security in the region, he remarked:
“J&K today is calm, peaceful, and open for business. Yes, there have been difficult times, but those are behind us. Tragic incidents like the one at Pahalgam are aberrations, not the norm, and every step is being taken to prevent their recurrence.”
He further urged investors to look beyond subsidy-driven models and focus on sectors where J&K has inherent strengths. Citing agriculture, horticulture, and dairy production as examples, he noted that only 4% of milk in Kashmir is processed, compared to 80% in Gujarat.
“This is a ready-made opportunity for value addition. We produce the raw material, we have the market, and yet we under-utilize our potential. The same is true for other sectors where J&K can provide both raw materials and skilled manpower.”
Calling unemployment a pressing challenge, the Chief Minister emphasized that the state cannot rely solely on government jobs. “Industrialization and tourism together must create new employment avenues for our youth,” he asserted.
He also encouraged candid feedback from CII members so that the government can address shortcomings effectively.
“Those of you investing in J&K, tell us what went well and what hasn’t. Those of you who are reluctant, tell us why not — and if it is within our power, we will address it. Your feedback is critical to shaping a business-friendly future here.”
Among others who addressed the gathering were CII Northern Region Chairperson Anjali Singh, CII Delhi State Council Chairman Puneet Kaura, Vice Chairman CII J&K Council M.A. Alim, and CII Northern Region Director Rachna Jindal.
The event saw wide participation from industry leaders across the region. The Chief Minister thanked CII for organizing the meeting in Srinagar and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to facilitating investment, promoting value addition, and building a sustainable industrial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
