SRINAGAR: Urging foreign delegates of Sixth International Buyer-Seller Meet to be the ambassadors of J and K State, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday said his government plans to hold handicraft and industrial exhibitions on a much larger scale in future.
Mufti Sayeed said this while interacting with them.
Business delegates from as many as 21 countries including United States, UK, Egypt, Palestine, Tunisia, France, Turkey, Germany and Indonesia are participating in the Meet.
Terming Kashmir Expo-2015 a huge success, President KCCI, informed the Chief Minister that orders for Kashmir Handicraft worth over 700,000 US dollars have been booked in the first two days of the four-day Meet. “A number of samples have been requisitioned which will further boost business sales in the coming days,” he told the Chief Minister.
Mufti Sayeed assured that exhibitions on much larger scale, in collaboration with KCC and I and other stakeholders in industrial and handicraft sector, will be planned in future where foreign buyers will be able to see a greater variety of exquisite handicraft items made in Kashmir.
Calling upon overseas buyers to be J and K’s messengers in their own countries, the Chief Minister said the Government is taking several steps to market Kashmir’s handicraft. “Seeing is believing. When you see things for yourselves, the perception changes automatically. Kashmir is a treasure trove of handicraft, heritage and natural beauty. I hope that you will love to visit this place again,” he said while asking the delegates to also enjoy Kashmir’s riveting beauty.
Sharing their experiences, the delegates thanked the Chief Minister for inviting suggestions for improving business ties so that export of hand-made products from Kashmir increases.
Some of the delegates appreciated the excellent quality of products made. However, many others advised a new variety of designs so that their marketability in foreign markets improves.
A delegate from Indonesia requested the Chief Minister to organize a similar buyer-seller meet at Djakarta. Another delegate, Ahmad Tawakal, from Egypt, described the Buyer-Seller Meet as a wonderful experience and hoped that it will create greater awareness about Kashmir Arts internationally.
Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid A. Ganai and President KCC and I, Sheikh Ashiq, were also present on the occasion.