CCI seeks Czech Republic’s help to improve tourism sector

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 29

As pilgrim tourism has emerged as the driving force of economy in the Jammu region, the Chamber and Commerce and Industry (CCI) is seeking help from Czech Republic to develop tourist spots and train manpower in the hospitality sector.

A delegation from the central European country is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. It met chamber members today and discussed issues pertaining to trade and business in the state, especially in the Jammu region.

Chamber president Rakesh Gupta apprised the Czech delegation of the problems faced by the business community and tourism sector due to turmoil in the Kashmir valley.

“We have asked them to visit Jammu again in future so that they could be taken to places like Bhaderwah, Patnitop and Mansar to get the details about the places of tourist attraction and what are the basic problems facing these areas,” Gupta said.

He said they were given detailed information about the industrial sector in the state and steps taken by the government to develop the manufacturing industry.

The delegation of Czech Republic was led by Karel Schwarzenberg, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and included Pavel Holik, vice-chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Leo Luzar, chairman of the Subcommittee for External Economic Relations, Karel Rais, chairman of the Subcommittee for Development Cooperation, Milan Hovorka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to India, and Zuzana Putnarova, Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The main issues discussed in the meeting included exchange of technology in the field of textile manufacturing and also student and teacher exchange programmes in the tourism sector.

“We also discussed that there should be more such visits so that Jammu and Kashmir gets benefit from the experience and technology of the European country to improve the tourism sector which could play an important role in creating employment,” said junior vice-president CCI, Rahul Mahajan.