Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Sep 7: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a decline of more than 300 per cent in exports in the last five years.
As per data quoted by the Department of Industries and Commerce in its Trade and Export Policy 2018-28, the export in 2013-14 was worth Rs 1,043 crore, which reduced to Rs 341crore in 2017-18.
From 2013 to 2016, the export of goods from Kashmir to other states and countries declined by almost Rs 1 crore each year.
In 2017, the export witnessed a major decline of more than 100 per cent compared to 2016.
As per the data, the export of goods in 2014-15 was worth Rs 940 crore, which declined to Rs 813 crore in 2015-16.
The year 2016-17 witnessed an export of goods from the state of up to Rs 791.
As per the policy, Jammu & Kashmir presently contributes only 0.05% of the total exports from India.
The goods exported from the state include dry fruits, carpets, mushrooms, and wholly-milled rice.
Data claims the export of walnut from Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a decline of 600 per cent in last four years.
The export of this dry fruit in 2014-15 was recorded Rs 132 crore, which reduced to mere Rs 22 crore in 2017-18.
Similarly, Mashroom export also declined to mere Rupees eight crore last year compared to Rs55 crore in 2014-15.
Valley’s carpet export also declined by more than 100 per cent during last four years.
Figures suggest that the export of carpet, which was recorded Rs79 crore in 2014-15 declined to Rs22 crore in 2017-18.
Export of hand woven shawls and silk products declined by more than 400 percent after reducing from Rs 129 crore in 2014 to Rs 31 crore in 2017.
Traders said the lack of marketing by the government and introduction of taxes such as Goods and Service Tax were main contributor to the fall of export.
“There is negligible promotion of goods in the international markets. Further sector like handicrafts are totally devastated by GST. Before selling a product, we are asked to pay taxes,” said Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries’ (KCCI) President, Javed Ahamd Tenga.
