CII J&K reaches out to Pahalgam’s business community with membership drive

Pahalgam, Jun 17: In a pioneering outreach effort, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K Council held its first-ever Membership Roadshow and Industry Outreach Program in the tourist town of Pahalgam.

A statement issued here said that spearheaded by Chairman Dr. M.A. Alim, the event aimed at deepening engagement with local businesses and fostering stronger public-private collaboration in the region.

“This is a first-of-its-kind initiative by CII J&K to reach the grassroots, especially in tourism-driven towns like Pahalgam,” said Dr. Alim. “Our goal is to listen to local voices, identify key challenges, and facilitate inclusive growth through industry partnerships.”

The program highlighted CII’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Jammu & Kashmir by connecting with trade bodies, tourism stakeholders, and entrepreneurs. Participants engaged in candid discussions on infrastructure bottlenecks, seasonal employment issues, and regulatory concerns. Dr. Alim assured that these concerns would be raised with the Union Territory administration and the Central Government.

The event also featured a special announcement: the establishment of the ‘Sunjay Kapoor Memorial Chair’ to honour the late industry leader and former CII stalwart, underlining CII’s emphasis on legacy and leadership in industrial development.

Dr. Alim lauded the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for its focused push on tourism revival in J&K. “We sincerely thank LG Shri Manoj Sinha for prioritising tourism and economic rejuvenation. The administration’s efforts are instrumental in paving the way for sustainable development,” he said.

Over 20 representatives from various associations participated, including the Pahalgam Hoteliers Association, Taxi Drivers Association, and the Ponywala Association. Notable contributors included Jawaid Burza, President of the Hoteliers Association; Asif Burza, past CII J&K Chairman; Anwar Bakshi, senior industry representative; Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, President of the Taxi Drivers Association; Nazir Ahmad Sheikh of the local civil society; and Abdul Wahid Wani, Ponywala Association President.

Former Municipal Committee members Owais Nazir, Gulzar Ahmad, and Dildar Ahmad, as well as Waseem Burza and Sardar Nasir Khan, were among the special invitees.

Several CII J&K members—Ufair Ajaz, Hussain Khan, Bilal Khan, Dawar Mir, Saqib Laharwal, Adnan Shah, Waseem Mahajan, Sajad Hussain, Muyeed Baba, and Faisal Shahdad—also actively contributed to the dialogue.

The roadshow marks a strategic step in integrating local business voices into the wider industrial ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir, with CII positioning itself as a bridge between enterprise and governance.