Mehbooba was speaking after inaugurating the 7th International Buyer-Seller meet here on Saturday.
Tensions on borders notwithstanding, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pitched for reopening more historic cross-border routes to connect the terror-hit state with South Asia and Central Asia in order to make it part of the international trading circuit.
"Jammu and Kashmir has a unique geo-strategic location. We have had close relations with South Asia and Central Asia. Our culture, craft and cuisine have been influenced by these regions. These influences, once used contextually, would help in making the state a hub of economic activities in the region", said Mehbooba
Mehbooba was speaking after inaugurating the 7th International Buyer-Seller meet here on Saturday.
"It has been Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's dream to reopen Jammu and Kashmir to the world. Jammu and Kashmir has been the gateway to Central Asia, and Silk Route had its own importance. We want to revive the routes connecting the world and Central Asia. May be the geo-political situation is not positive this time, but nothing is impossible. Opening the Srinagar-Muzffarabad road seemed impossible, but it happened," she said.
The chief minister said two dry ports are being set up in Jammu and Srinagar to ferry goods from the state to the international markets hassle free. "With easy transportation, agricultural and horticultural produce from the state would get a quality international market", she said.
Expressing her hope that Jammu and Kashmir would open up to the world as an international trading destination, Mehbooba said she was confident that the buyer and seller meet would build trust between the business community in the state and outside, and would mark the beginning of establishing the state as a major international trading centre.
Trust And Trade
The CM said she was confident the buyer and seller meet would build trust between business communities in the state and abroad, paving the way to establish Jammu & Kashmir a major international trade centre.
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