Deputy CM Highlights Rs 4,145 Crore MSME Investment, Calls for Focus on Growth

SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday called for greater attention to the challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu and Kashmir, underlining the need for a supportive business ecosystem.

Addressing the Amar Ujala MSME Bharat Conclave in Jammu, Choudhary highlighted that investment in the region’s MSME sector reached Rs 4,145 crore over the past decade, nearly ten times higher than previous periods. He added that Rs 4,001 crore worth of projects have already been initiated by August 2025.

For the first time, sectors such as metals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food processing have seen investments exceeding  Rs 500 crore, leading to the establishment of several new industrial units. Choudhary also noted that women in MSMEs contribute 3 percent to JK’s GDP and provide employment to over 1 million people, with 15 percent of jobs held by women.

Emphasising entrepreneurship and start-up growth, the Deputy Chief Minister called for a cross-sectoral business support system to boost enterprise creation and generate mass employment opportunities. He reiterated the government’s commitment to position JK as a hub of sustainable enterprises and youth empowerment.

The event featured direct dialogue between entrepreneurs and officials, focusing on challenges faced by Jammu’s industries. Officials responded to concerns related to pesticides, edible oils, cricket bats, paper mills, rice mills, and other small-scale industries, outlining departmental initiatives and future strategies

Director of Industries Arun Kumar Manhas, Labour Commissioner Charanjit Singh, and other departmental officers were present at the conclave.