‘Environment will be our focus while planning J&K’s industrial devp’

Pune: The abrogation of Article 370 and conversion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) into a Union Territory has promised large-scale development and industrial growth in the Valley. J&K Industries Director Mahmood Shah speaks with Sakal Times regarding the new investment opportunities in Kashmir and the need for sustainable development.

Q. Considering current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, what are the new business opportunities that the state is looking forward to?
We are organising an investors’ summit in November which would be an attempt to convey the message of the different sectors open for investments to the people. The first and foremost sector that we would like to focus upon is education. Many youngsters from the state have been studying across the country as renowned institutes have not yet entered the state. We would like institutes of international repute to come here and open their campuses and disseminate quality education.
Further, there is a critical dearth of health institutions in Kashmir. About 15,000 Kashmiris travel outside the state seeking medical treatment. Three ailments are most commonly observed here - cancer, nephrology and cardiological.
Another important sector with ample investment opportunity would be food processing. We produce almost 100 per cent of India’s saffron, 90 pc of the country’s almond and peach and 80 pc of apples. Then there is the IT sector. There is a large youth population that would be interested in IT jobs and the climate too is conducive to setting up of an IT industry. There is a lot of potential for power plants too.

Q. As you mentioned opportunities in food processing, what are the different ways in which investment could be brought into the sector?
We have a huge apple export industry which is most profitable during the two months of harvest. Once these apples hit the market, the prices are low. Currently, we are in the process of introducing a new high yielding variety of apple which would start giving fruit within a year and would yield three times the produce.
Then, around 15 pc of the apple produced every year goes to cold storage, the sector which requires more investment. Then there is a need for food processing units for making fruit concentrates, jams, etc., not just with apples, but with other fruits too. 
Kashmir also provides 90 pc of country’s walnut, another food industry with huge investment potential.

Q. Several companies like Patanjali and Reliance are heard to have shown interest in setting up industry in J&K. How true is it? Also, would the state be applying any kind of scanning process for selecting?
The discussions were about to start for the same now. For the investors’ summit, we would be conducting roadshows across the country and even abroad. Further, discussions on the requests and proposals of the companies would take place in due time. We are also working closely with Government of India and several ministries that would be lending their helping hand. We are hoping that as many as possible proposals materialise. Even we are reaching out to investors. As far as selecting industries is concerned, we would certainly keep certain parameters in mind. We would see to it that more of non-polluting industries were given an opportunity in state, to protect our natural resources.

Q. Would there be a separate set of conditions or restrictions for carrying out business in Kashmir, different from the rest of the states? Also, would the growth be planned to be sustainable?
We have our industrial policy which provides a level-playing field to various industries. Whatever scanning has to be done, it would be done under the same. The strengths of J&K are horticulture, handicraft and hospitality. So whatever new industry has to come, it has to come around these three verticles. Environment is of utmost importance to us and that will be our prime focus while planning development.