Here - Start-up Kashmir!

36. Establish and promote organized mentoring programs in Kashmir that includes
quality training and tools for mentors, including an online platform/matching program.
37. Establish trade fairs and business expos that feature youth enterprises.
38. JKEDI and other business development service providers should develop the ability
to physically deliver services in all districts.
E. Improving the administrative and regulatory framework in
Kashmir
(Youth priority # 5)
39. Awareness campaigns, publications, websites, books and guides should be developed
to help Kashmiri youth gain knowledge, understanding and awareness of processes,
procedures, industrial policies, laws and regulations for starting a business in Kashmir.
Easy-to-use information should be online and include details about business registration
procedures. Checklists and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Sheets should be developed
to help explain all steps and requirements for establishing a business in Kashmir.
40. The J&K Government should make it a priority goal to reduce administrative and
regulatory hurdles affecting businesses in Kashmir and aim to increase the overall ease of
doing business in Kashmir. Towards this end, it should conduct a comprehensive review of
the administrative and regulatory framework affecting businesses. Its goal should be to reduce
the number of registrations, approvals, no objection certificates and other paperwork
required for starting and operating a business in Kashmir. The J&K Government should
streamline and facilitate business registration procedures through online applications (egovernance)
and a single-window clearance system that is in practice and not just on paper.
41. The Directorate of Economics and Statistics (J&K Government) together with the
JKEDI should develop and conduct an “Annual Survey on the Ease of Doing Business”
in Kashmir to benchmark how conducive the administrative and regulatory environment
is starting and operation a local firm. Academics along with experts from the private and
non-profit sector could be engaged to develop the survey and to help analyse results and
findings. The annual survey could be used to develop more responsive government policies
and initiatives.
42. All registrations, approvals, no objection certificates and other paperwork required
for starting a business in Kashmir should be included in the list of public services to be
listed under “The Jammu & Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act”, 2011 and the shortest
possible specified time limits should be defined for applications.
43. The plague of corruption in all its existing forms in Kashmir must be rooted out.
Corruption is eating at the vitals of Kashmiri society and it is a factor that is hindering the
growth of the private sector and is directly discouraging youth entrepreneurial activity in
the Kashmir Valley. 5
5 The SKYE Project is currently conducting a study on the issue of corruption and its impact on entrepreneurs
and entrepreneurship in Kashmir. An issue paper on this topic, along with detailed recommendations, is forthcoming.
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