Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) under the aegis of Department of Industries and Commerce, J&K, organized a virtual buyer seller meet with agro and food product importers of Canada.The meet was organized in association with Consulate General of India Toronto, Canada and Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) here yesterday to discuss strategies towards creating more avenues for bilateral trade including product promotion, market expectations and setting up buyer-seller connect.
Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, Ranjan Prakash Thakur said that “Jammu & Kashmir has paced up the work in last 2 years and will be making history soon in terms of economic growth, exports, investments besides having excellent industrial eco-system. “Soon J&K will be having its logistics parks, airport cargo depot, complete railway connectivity, international air connectivity and off course improvement in policies and infrastructure towards removing bottlenecks for having better exports and business-ecosystem”, he added. He also said that Jammu & Kashmir has huge potential in agro-horti and other food sectors because of being organic and having world class quality.
Tauseef Sheikh, President ICCC, who acclaimed the initiative taken up by JKTPO and urged upon the need of organizing more such meetings for promotion of trade and economy locally and internationally as well. Ankita Kar, Managing Director JKTPO, briefed the forum about the status of agriculture, horticulture and food sector of J&K through a detailed presentation which focused on major Agri-Horti Products from J&K and their GI status which is important for sustainable growth and development of these products. She also highlighted various strengths of J&K that can play a vital role in giving boost to our economy by way of exports.
Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General, Consulate of India Toronto, encouraged the initiatives of connecting importers from Canada with exporters from J&K UT. She remarked that “Canadian palette is becoming very fond of Indian cuisines and its products because of having high density of Indian’s working, studying and residing here. The distinct quality of Saffron, Basmati rice and other agro & food products from J&K shall continue to pave its way in international markets and these buyer-seller connect shall act as gateway.”Ankita Kar, Managing Director JKTPO said “J&K has a robust economy centered around agriculture, horticulture, and food industry with excellent land, water resources and 3-agro climatic zones enabling variety of products in these sectors, thus making it a major attraction compared to our neighboring countries”.
Later, importers and exporters were introduced and breakout session for one-on-one meetings was conducted. Besides, details along with company profiles of the exporters from J&K and importers from Canada were shared in the forum to further connect the buyers and sellers.
