Kashmiri apples make their way to the Gulf region
After the UAE, Kashmiri apples are now available Oman, reported the Times of Oman. The first consignment of apples have arrived and are being sold through the famous Lulu stores in Oman. Mr. Manu Mahawar, the Ambassador of India to the Sultunate of Oman inaugurated the display.
In the presence of senior embassy officials, including Rakesh Adlakha, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the embassy in Oman, as well as representatives of Lulu, a ceremony was held to mark the arrival of the consignment ti Oman, where it will be sold exclusively by Lulu.
Kashmir is famed for its apples and saffron the world over. Apples are also a major revenue earner for the Himalayan province.
A statement from the Embassy of India said, “Oman received the first shipment of Kashmiri apples. Ambassador Munu Mahawar was present at the launch of the sale of three special varieties of apples from Jammu & Kashmir at Lulu Hypermarket Oman.”
Adding to this, a statement from Lulu said, “Tasty Kashmiri apples will be available at Lulu Hypermarkets in Oman! Munu Mahawar, honourable Indian ambassador to Oman presided preside over the launch ceremony at Lulu Hypermarket, Bausher, Sultanate of Oman on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 at 10am.”
The organisation added, “Delicious and flavourful Kashmiri Apples are now available at Lulu Hypermarkets in Oman! H. E. Shri. Munu Mahawar, the honourable Indian ambassador to Oman presided over the launch ceremony today in the presence of Lulu management and customers at Lulu Bausher.”
During his visit to the Gulf region in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged businessmen in UAE and Bahrain to invest in Kashmir. In UAE he had met Yusuffali MA, Lulu Group chairman, and prominent Indian businessman, who had confirmed his willingness to procure Kashmiri agricultural produce and set up a logistics hub in Srinagar for uninterrupted supply. An investment summit for Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to be held in 2020.
In August the state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized and made way for the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
One of the primary concerns is to boost investment opportunities in the UTs. Exporting Kashmiri goods to overseas markets is one such way.
In October consignments of apples had already reached the United Arab Emirates, where they were available in Lulu stores.
The Lulu group also has plans to bring the famed Kashmiri saffron to the region too.
