The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir convened a significant meeting with the top leadership of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to explore focused developmental interventions for industries across Jammu & Kashmir.
The SIDBI delegation was led by Manoj Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, and included Sudatta Mandal, Deputy Managing Director; Ketan Gaikwad, Managing Director and CEO of RXIL; Balbir Singh, Chief General Manager, Direct Credit Vertical; S Sunil, General Manager, Chandigarh Regional Office; and Mohd. Rafiq, SDE-SIDBI J&K.
Representing PHDCCI Kashmir, co-chair Himayu Wani led the delegation comprising executive committee members Nasir Shah, Billal Kawoosa, Madina Mir, Anil Sharma, Shabir Abdullah, Ubair Shah, Shahid Khan, Owais Raja, Urfan Shehri, Prof Peerzada Amin and Iqbal Fayaz Jan, Deputy Director PHDCCI Kashmir.
In his opening remarks, Himayu Wani highlighted SIDBI’s sustained engagement since establishing its Srinagar office, noting that conditions are now conducive for more customized interventions to strengthen viable industries in Kashmir.
PHDCCI presented key challenges faced by local industries, particularly in tourism and horticulture, where businesses are struggling due to recurring disruptions. The delegation stressed the need for flexible lending structures, improved credit flow, practical collateral norms, and tailored financial products that reflect the unique seasonal and operational nature of these sectors.
Manoj Mittal assured the chamber of SIDBI’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, including facilitating collaboration with CGTMSE and CIBIL to craft viable solutions. Both institutions also agreed to jointly promote women entrepreneurship under SIDBI’s SAHAS programme.
The meeting concluded with a plan to adopt specific industrial clusters and create a compendium of ready-made project reports for new entrepreneurs, aimed at de-risking enterprise creation.
