Centre Identifies Srinagar As ‘Champion District’, Budgam-Baramulla As Textile Export Hubs | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: In a significant boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s handicrafts and textile sector, the Ministry of Textiles has identified Srinagar as a “Champion District”, while Budgam and Baramulla have been designated as Aspirational Districts under India’s strategy to achieve USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.

The announcement was highlighted during a two-day consultative workshop on “Textiles for Global Markets: Strategy for Achieving USD 100 Billion Exports by 2030”, organised at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre by the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The workshop brought together policymakers, exporters, industry leaders, artisans, entrepreneurs, Export Promotion Councils, DGFT representatives and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening exports, improving value chains and positioning Jammu and Kashmir’s products in global markets under the “Local to Global” initiative.

On the second day of the programme, the Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, held extensive consultations with stakeholders on export promotion, market access, branding, quality enhancement and measures to improve the export competitiveness of the region’s handicrafts and handloom sector.

Officials said the designation of Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla would pave the way for focused interventions, infrastructure support and export promotion initiatives aimed at strengthening the textile ecosystem in the Union Territory.

The workshop was structured around the District Export Action Plan (DEAP) and State/UT Export Action Plan (SEAP), with discussions focusing on district-specific export strengths, policy interventions and export-oriented growth strategies.

Participants deliberated on key issues including Foreign Trade Policy 2023, District Export Hub initiatives, Free Trade Agreements, sustainability and ESG frameworks, cluster development and improving linkages between artisans, producers and international markets.

Officials said recommendations emerging from the consultations would form part of the National Consultative Summit scheduled for June 2026, which is expected to shape a national roadmap for achieving the USD 100 billion textile export target.

The initiative is expected to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s export ecosystem and enhance the global presence of its internationally recognised handicrafts and textile products.