May 31, 2026 – The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has issued a fresh appeal for government intervention, citing mounting economic damage to the valley’s trade and industry sectors from the ongoing West Asian conflict. The chamber body has called for an urgent and comprehensive relief and stabilisation package to cushion local businesses from the cascading effects of the regional war.
Kashmir’s trade ecosystem, which has strong commercial and cultural linkages with Iran and the broader Middle East, has been adversely impacted by trade route disruptions, rising fuel costs, and a sharp downturn in regional tourism from Gulf markets. The West Asian war — which began with Israeli and US airstrikes targeting Iranian military leadership — has created a highly volatile environment for import-dependent industries in the valley, including handicrafts exporters, dry fruit traders, and the hospitality sector. FCIK’s appeal for emergency fiscal measures reflects the broader economic anxiety gripping J&K’s merchant community at a time when the region was only beginning to consolidate post-pandemic and post-conflict recovery.
