Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hosts Interactive Session with Customs Department Officials
In a bid to address critical challenges faced by exporters from Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) organized an interactive session with senior Customs Department officials on Thursday. The session aimed to explore solutions for smoother export operations and was well-attended by industry stakeholders.
The meeting, held at the Chamber office, saw the presence of key officials including Sanjay Gupta, Chief Commissioner of Customs Preventive Zone in Delhi; Alok Srivastava, Commissioner of Customs Preventive Commissionerate in Amritsar; Buddhi Prakash, Additional Commissioner; Puneet Gunawat, Joint Commissioner; and Purushottam Gupta, Assistant Commissioner of Customs Preventive Division in Jammu.
KCC&I President Javid Ahmad Tenga extended a warm welcome to the officials and expressed appreciation for their direct engagement with industry representatives. The session witnessed the participation of members of the Executive Committee, past Chamber presidents, and numerous exporters.
Tenga highlighted major concerns raised by exporters, including issues related to drawbacks, procedural challenges, and infrastructure deficits at Srinagar International Airport, particularly in cargo handling facilities and operational constraints during adverse weather conditions.
Enhancing Export Opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir
Emphasizing the Chamber’s vision, Tenga stressed the need to significantly increase regional exports and outlined KCC&I’s goal to double export volumes through enhanced infrastructure, streamlined Customs procedures, and supportive policies. He called for immediate infrastructure upgrades and reiterated the longstanding demand for establishing an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in the region.
Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir Bank, including Vishal Sharma, Chief Manager (Forex), and Shabir Ahmad Reshi, shared insights from the banking sector on challenges faced by exporters, particularly regarding Electronic Bank Realisation Certificates (e-BRCs), timelines, and export bill extensions.
During a dedicated question-and-answer session, exporters raised operational concerns related to drawback processing, documentation requirements, cargo movement, and airport logistics.
Sanjay Gupta assured that genuine concerns would be thoroughly reviewed at appropriate levels, while Alok Srivastava reiterated the Customs Department’s commitment to trade facilitation and stakeholder engagement while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Future Initiatives and Collaboration
Past President Rauf Ahmad Punjabi extended a vote of thanks and suggested organizing an awareness workshop for exporters. Gupta welcomed the suggestion and confirmed that a workshop would be conducted in Srinagar in April.
