JK CM OMAR ABDULLAH HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AT FICCI MEET

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the region's growing potential as a hub for innovation-driven industries during FICCI's first executive meet in Srinagar in 15 years.

- TBG NETWORK

Jammu and Kashmir is positioning itself as an emerging destination for innovation-driven industries, said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday, highlighting concrete business developments and infrastructure improvements that are attracting renewed investor interest to the region, according to a press release by industry body FICCI.Speaking at a special session of FICCI's National Executive Committee in Srinagar -- the first such gathering in the region in 15 years -- CM Abdullah outlined sectoral opportunities whilst acknowledging the region's recent economic headwinds.The Chief Minister identified agriculture and horticulture processing as sectors with particularly strong potential, noting that only 4 to 5 per cent of the territory's dairy production is currently processed locally, compared with 85 to 90 per cent in Gujarat. With more than 60-70 per cent of the population directly or indirectly connected to these sectors, value addition presents significant opportunities for the food processing industry.