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Omar inaugurates handicrafts meet

Omar Abdullah has called for `re-carving` of international links for Kashmiri handicrafts.

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for "re-carving" of international market links for Kashmiri handicrafts and said that revival of this sector is imperative for a turnaround in the economy which has witnessed heavy losses over the years."Kashmir`s brand name as unique manufacturer of varied handicrafts of par excellence needs to be re-carved on the global map" Omar said while inaugurating a four-day Kashmir
Handicrafts International Buyer-Seller Meet 2009 at SKICC, on the banks of Dal Lake here on Saturday. The meet, which has been organised by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) in collaboration with Union Ministry of Commerce, is second of its kind in the state and is expected to be attended by 64 high-end foreign buyers besides scores from within the country. As many as 50 stalls of various handicrafts produced in the state have been installed in SKICC by the local manufacturers to exhibit their products for marketing. Omar said during the years of disturbance, handicrafts sector along with tourism received setback and affected lakhs of people engaged in these sectors. "There was a time when buyers would come here in a large number in search of sellers but now is the time when we have to knock at their doors," he said and called for re- establishing market connections. Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Jairam Ramesh, was also present on the occasion, and was described by Omar as the "best friend" of Jammu and Kashmir. Bureau Report