SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that in the last four years, Kashmir transformed into a mini-Europe with nightlife returning to the Valley after many decades.
Addressing the 9th India International MSME Expo and Summit 2023 in New Delhi, the LG Sinha said that those who questioned the developments that happened in Kashmir in the last four years can see the transformation now.
“Let me put it on record that Kashmir is becoming a mini-Europe. The nightlife has returned to a place where people were seen rushing to their homes just after sunset. The street violence, Pakistan-sponsored terror, terrorism, separatism, closure of schools for 150 days a year is history now,” he said. “Cinemas are functioning normally and people are enjoying the nightlife. Youth could be seen going home late at night with guitars and ice-creams in their hands.”
The LG commended the MSME Development Forum for its endeavors to bring together policymakers and entrepreneurs for the promotion of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
“Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises are accelerating India’s economic growth and powering Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the LG said, adding that initiatives such as MSME Expo, trade fairs provide an important platform to spread awareness about government schemes, policies and to explore new business opportunities in the sector.
The LG said shared the key interventions of UT administration to facilitate the growth of MSMEs in J&K. “MSMEs are the backbone of industrial growth and equitable development. Our commitment to industries, Small and Medium Enterprises and institutional support as well as infrastructural facilities in J&K is showing results,” he said.
Highlighting the immense potential of the MSME sector in Jammu & Kashmir, the Lt Governor said, as many as 2.81 lakh MSMEs have been registered on the Udyam portal in last 3 years, reflecting the sector’s remarkable growth trajectory, he said.
