JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) today organized export awareness workshop in association with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) , Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd (ECGC), State Bank of India (SBI) and Council of Scientific Research, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM Jammu) at Udhampur.
The workshop is in continuation to the planned events to be held across the UT to promote exports from all districts of Jammu and Kashmir under District as Export Hub Scheme/ODOP initiative. Besides, Export Awareness Workshops at district level aims to boost and support exports from J&K and with focus on developing each district as export hub under District as Export Hub/ODOP initiatives.
The workshop also focused on potential of ODOP products and other potential products of Udhampur district including Garlic, Aromatic Oils, etc.
The workshop included detailed sessions on benefits of exports, process of getting IEC code, awareness regarding India Business Portal and India Trade portal, credit linkages for exports and credit risk insurance facilities and potential of products of region in international market.
Pankaj Kumar Anand, General Manger, Udhampur addressed the gathering informing about major products from Udhampur which have potential for exports and highlighted the importance of fine tuning and finishing of products. He also emphasized about the importance of proper branding to make the products export ready.
Kausar Fatima, Business Development Manager, APEDA, Jammu, started the session with a brief introduction about APEDA and with a focus to take local agricultural and allied products of Udhampur to global market. Special focus was on aromatic plants, garlic and other local products of district which has a huge export potential and has currently in huge demand in international market. She also mentioned that garlic based processed products such as garlic powder, garlic granules has a lot of untapped potential.
A K Bhushan, Deputy DGFT, Jammu conducted the session on introduction of various government scheme for export and documentation required for IEC registration.
Introduction to Indian Business Portal and Indian Trade portal was delivered by Gaurav Gupta, Assistant Director FIEO. He also discussed ways to cater to the international demand of products through the local suppliers of Udhampur.
The participants were informed about Credit Facilities, Hedging Benefits and Trading by the customer on FX-Retail Platform by Chirag, Manager (Regional Treasury Marketing Unit), State Bank of India, Delhi. He explained about various competitive loan products on offer from SBI for exporters.
Debi Prasad, Executive Officer, ECGC Srinagar gave details about Credit Risk Insurance and related services for exports.
Dr Sumeet Gairola, Principal Scientist, CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine gave a brief Introduction to Aroma Mission and importance of Testing for Aromatic Plants. He emphasized that Udhampur has a lot of potential in aromatic plants such as Lemon Grass and Lavender which has a huge local and international demand.
Chief Planning Officer, Mudassar Yakoob Zargar, closed the session by conveying the message of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur stating that the export awareness workshop was very planned interactive session which cover all the major aspects for exports, right from documents required to get IEC Code, market linkages, financial and insurance assistance. He added that more such workshop should be organized at district level on continuous basis.
Earlier, Mukesh Thappa, General Manager, Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) briefed the audience about mandate and various trade and export promotion initiatives undertaken by J&K Trade promotion. He added that JKTPO regularly organizes and participates in various activities like Buyer-Seller Meets, Trade Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences, Seminars, etc. at National and International level for registered members and omen entrepreneurs. For participation in these events, Startups Exporter/ Entrepreneurs/FPOs/other Sellers from can register themselves on JKTPO’s website – www.jktpo.in.
All District Officers of Agriculture , Horticulture , State Rural Livelihood Mission, Handicraft and Handloom, Industries and commerce, Agriculture Marketing Officer, who are also members of District Level Export Promotion Committees and Industry Associations, Industrialists, Self Help Group members, Artisans, Farmers and FPOs attended the workshop.

KR Desk