Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended NITI Aayog’s workshop on the promotion of innovation, investment, and industry in the MSME sector at IIM Jammu.
In his inaugural address, Sinha extended his felicitations to NITI Aayog, IIM Jammu, and other stakeholders for bringing together policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for the workshop aimed at exploring challenges and opportunities in three key sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy—Textiles, Food Processing, and Tourism.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that deliberations on reforms to create a growth-oriented environment will have a wide-ranging impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in the Union Territory. He stressed the importance of deepening communication between all stakeholders in the MSME sector, ensuring seamless reforms, and fostering a collaborative relationship between policymakers and entrepreneurs.
Reiterating his commitment to empowering small and micro entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha stated, “We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension. Food processing remains an area where we need to improve our performance, and we must boost infrastructure in the tourism sector and accelerate the development of new tourist destinations.”
He also highlighted key policy interventions and institutional support extended by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years to promote local entrepreneurship and encourage industrial development in J&K.
Sinha noted that incentives under the New Industrial Scheme have significantly transformed Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial landscape. He added that peace and favorable conditions have led to increased direct investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors of the UT.
“It is a matter of great pride for J&K that the handloom sector has been revived, and through better market linkages, our products are being recognized globally. I am confident that our MSMEs in this sector will meet new challenges and benefit from emerging opportunities,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also emphasized the crucial role of private players in diversifying tourism offerings and developing better tourist-centric facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Peace is a prerequisite for development, thriving businesses, and a flourishing tourism sector. We are also witnessing a rise in peace stakeholders, reflecting the changed picture of Jammu and Kashmir. The UT of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and its future is with India. No power in the world can separate Jammu and Kashmir from India,” Sinha asserted.
The workshop is part of NITI Aayog’s State Workshop Series—an initiative under the State Support Mission.
The event was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Senior Advisor NITI Aayog Anurag Goyal, Secretary of Planning Development & Monitoring Department Talat Parvez Rohella, Director of IIM Jammu Prof. B.S. Sahay, senior officials from the Government of India and the UT of J&K, as well as entrepreneurs and experts from the MSME sector.
