Sign in Subscribe
Trade agreements

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry Welcomes India-UK FTA, Seeks Protection for Horticlutre Sector

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, while also expressing concerns that the horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir may be exposed to international competition. The Chamber has commended the Government of India for excluding apples from the list of tariff concessions under the agreement, which it says reflects a sensitive understanding of the structural vulnerabilities of Kashmir's horticulture sector. KCCI had earlier raised concerns about the impact of international competition on local growers and had requested the protection of the sector in ongoing trade negotiations. The agreement also includes products such as pashmina, saffron, and Kashmiri willow under the FTA's tariff list, which could benefit artisans, growers, and sports goods manufacturers in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, but has expressed concerns about the potential impact on the horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The KCCI has commended the Government of India for excluding apples from the list of tariff concessions under the agreement, which it says reflects a sensitive understanding of the structural vulnerabilities of Kashmir's horticulture sector.
  • The Chamber had earlier raised concerns about the impact of international competition on local growers and had requested the protection of the sector in ongoing trade negotiations.
  • The agreement also includes products such as pashmina, saffron, and Kashmiri willow under the FTA's tariff list, which could benefit artisans, growers, and sports goods manufacturers in the region.
  • The KCCI has lauded the inclusion of these products and emphasized that the agreement presents a timely opportunity to expand exports in sectors where Kashmir has historic and competitive strengths, particularly in handicrafts and handlooms.
  • The Chamber has stressed that any shift in tariff protection must follow systemic domestic reforms and infrastructure upgrades.
  • The KCCI has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Government of India, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other relevant bodies to ensure that the interests of Kashmir's traditional sectors are safeguarded and promoted in global markets.

Statistics:

  • Over 3 million people in Jammu and Kashmir rely on apple cultivation for their livelihood, which forms the backbone of the rural economy.
  • The agreement excludes apples from the list of tariff concessions under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom.
  • The FTA includes products such as pashmina, saffron, and Kashmiri willow under the tariff list, which could benefit artisans, growers, and sports goods manufacturers in the region.
  • The UK has traditionally been an important market for Kashmiri crafts, which serve as vital sources of employment and women-led income generation across rural areas.

Sources:

  • [Observer News Service Srinagar - The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom as a progressive and strategic step that will deepen bilateral economic ties, create new opportunities for Indian exports, and boost the global competitiveness of traditional industries in Jammu and Kashmir.](https://observerenews.com/news/22292.html)

Read more