Jammu and Kashmir Presentation and Economic Growth Report | IBEF

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a Union Territory (UT) of India, located in the country’s northern part, and a global tourist destination. In addition to traditional recreational tourism, a vast scope exists for adventure, pilgrimage, spiritual, and health tourism.

The economy is primarily services based and agri-oriented. Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) increased at a CAGR of 10% between 2015-16 and 2018-19 to reach Rs. 1.56 trillion (US$ 22.31 billion). J&K’s NSDP increased at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 9.69% from 2015-16 to 2018-19 and reached Rs. 1.30 trillion (US$ 18.58 billion).

A vast natural resource base has enabled J&K to develop land for cultivating major fruits. With varied agro-climatic conditions, the scope for horticulture is significantly high in J&K. Food processing and agro-based industries (excluding conventional grinding and extraction units) thrive in the UT. J&K has an ideal climate for floriculture and an enormous assortment of flora and fauna. J&K has Asia’s largest tulip garden.

J&K’s handicrafts are world famous and the traditional handicraft industry has emerged as a large industry. Due to its large employment base and export potential, the industry has been receiving priority attention of the government. The UT is also famous for its small-scale and cottage industries such as carpet weaving, silks, shawls, basketry, pottery, copper and silverware, papier-mâché, and walnut wood. The cottage handicrafts industry provides direct and gainful employment to around 340,000 artisans.

As of November 2020, J&K* had a total installed power-generation capacity of 3423.13 MW, comprising 1812.35 MW under central utilities, 1535.98 MW under UT utilities and 74.80 MW under private utilities.

Total export from J&K stood at US$ 188.18 million in 2019-20. In FY21 (till October 2020), export from J&K stood at US$ 82.34 million.

The following are some of the major initiatives taken by the Government to promote Jammu & Kashmir as an investment destination:

• According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), cumulative FDI inflow in J&K was valued at US$ 0.21 million between October 2019 and September 2020.
• J&K has an industrial policy that offers attractive incentives along with a single-window clearance mechanism. Land is allotted at concessional rates in industrial areas on lease for 90 years.
• National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is developing five tunnels in the UT at a cost of US$ 3.42 million. The tunnels will have all weather access and will be completed by 2024.
• Total production* of horticulture crops in UT in 2018-19** stood at 3.96 million tonnes with 414.47 thousand hectares area under production. The industry plays a vital role in the UT’s economic development. In 2019-20, total production of horticulture crops was expected to be 3,912.91 thousand metric tonnes and area under production was 400.25 thousand hectares. In 2019-20, the total production of vegetables and fruits was estimated at 1337.12 thousand metric tonnes and 2541.16 thousand metric tonnes, respectively.
• In October 2020, construction work has started on the Zozila Tunnel at J&K. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity on NH-1 between Srinagar Valley and Leh (Ladakh Plateau) and will bring about an all-round Jammu & Kashmir economic and sociocultural integration (UTs of J&K and Ladakh). It involves building a 14.15-km long tunnel under the Zojila pass on NH-1, linking Srinagar and Leh via Dras & Kargil.
• About 150,000 metres of silk cloth is produced per annum in J&K. During 2018-19(P), 118 MT of raw silk was produced in the J&K and had a production target of 170 MT for 2019-20(T).
• In 2019, foreign and domestic tourist arrivals stood at 57,920 and 16.16 million, respectively.

Note: P - Provisional, T - Target, MT - Million Tonnes, ** - 2018-19 (3^rd advanced estimate), ^#- Including Ladakh Union Territory

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