Tenga Retains Kashmir Chamber Leadership as Trade Body Holds AGM 

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday held its adjourned 91st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Hotel The Kabo in Srinagar, marking yet another milestone in the organisation’s long history of representing Jammu and Kashmir’s business community.

The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Chairman of the Election Commission for the 2025–27 Executive Committee, who announced the official results of the elections held on October 6 at the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium. Out of 30 contesting candidates, 21 members, a blend of experience and youth, were elected to form the new Executive Committee for the 2025–27 term.

Following the declaration of results, the newly elected collegium chose the office bearers for the next two years. The leadership includes Javid Ahmad Tenga as President, Dr Umer Nazir Tibetbaqal as Senior Vice President, Farooq Amin as Junior Vice President, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi as Secretary General, Akib Chaya as Joint Secretary General, and Amir Manzoor Guna as Treasurer. Both Javid Tenga and Faiz Bakshi have been re-elected to their positions for a third term.

The meeting was attended by a large number of members, including past presidents, senior business leaders, and representatives from diverse sectors. An official from the District Administration was also present as an observer, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

In his presidential address, Javid Tenga expressed gratitude to members, past presidents, and the business fraternity for their trust and support. He said the new term marks “a new chapter with renewed energy and collective responsibility,” pledging to focus on reviving the local economy that continues to face challenges.

“The tourism sector, one of the vital pillars of our economy, has been under stress due to fluctuating visitor inflows, especially since April 2025, and infrastructural bottlenecks,” Tenga said, adding that KCCI will actively engage with the government and stakeholders to ensure sustained policy support for the sector. He also highlighted concerns over the leasehold policy being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on other key sectors, Tenga said the horticulture industry has suffered heavy losses due to frequent highway closures, leading to delays in fruit transportation. “We will demand a special freight train service during harvest and winter months to ensure the timely movement of produce,” he said. He further noted that handicraft exports have declined, affecting thousands of artisans and exporters, and assured that KCCI will pursue this matter at all relevant forums to restore the global presence of Kashmiri handicrafts.

Tenga said the Chamber’s focus would also extend to general trade and the goods and services sector, which form the backbone of the Valley’s economy. “We will continue to advocate for a conducive business environment, improved logistics, and policies that support entrepreneurship and employment generation,” he said.

The newly elected President also felicitated outgoing office bearers, Ashiq Hussain Shangloo (Ex-Senior Vice President), Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi (Ex-Junior Vice President), and Zubair Ahmad Mahajan (Ex-Treasurer), for their contributions, noting that they had stepped down due to business commitments but remain valued members of the Executive Committee. “Elections are now behind us, and every member of KCCI remains committed to working with greater zeal for the promotion and growth of business,” he said.

The Chamber extended a special vote of thanks to Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and the Election Commission for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections with assistance from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.

Past presidents AM Mattoo and GM Dug also addressed the gathering, congratulating the newly elected team and urging them to work with transparency, unity, and dedication. They stressed the importance of strengthening institutional credibility and fostering dialogue with policymakers to promote trade and industry in the region.

The AGM concluded with a collective pledge of unity and renewed commitment to represent and safeguard the interests of the business community across all sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.