Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 24: While the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) does not mention Kashmir specifically, stakeholders in the region’s traditional handicraft sector believe the deal could bring new global opportunities, especially with the zero-duty access on 99 percent of Indian exports, including labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, footwear and handicrafts.
Signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reveal that the agreement is hailed as a major step in economic integration.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, stressed that the pact would empower artisans, women-led enterprises and MSMEs, which form a vital part of India’s export ecosystem.
Stakeholders believe this could positively impact Kashmir’s traditional sectors as well. Globally renowned crafts such as Pashmina shawls, Sozni embroidery, Papier-mache, walnut wood carving and Kani weaving are likely to benefit from easier access to the UK market, reduced export costs and expanded demand.
Local entrepreneurs and exporters see the development as a positive step.
Abdul Rashid Wani, a carpet exporter from Srinagar, said that if properly implemented, this agreement can be a turning point for Kashmir’s artisan community.
He said the UK has always had a demand for handmade Kashmiri products. “With zero duty, our pricing becomes competitive,” he said.
Officials believe the agreement opens new avenues for ‘Kashmiri women entrepreneurs and youth-led startups’, many of whom are engaged in craft, fashion and design. The Ministry of Commerce has indicated that efforts will be made to link regional industries with global value chains under the new framework.
Traders and exporters say the deal could help address the already existing slowdown in Kashmir’s export sector, particularly as machine-made alternatives increasingly threaten traditional handmade products.
Notably, with Kashmir’s artisan economy already supporting thousands of families, stakeholders hope CETA will not only drive economic benefits but also aid in the preservation of craft traditions, making them more viable in the global marketplace.
