The Silk Expo organized by the Department of Sericulture Development Department in collaboration with Silk Mark Organization of India (Centre Silk Board) to promote silk and silk products in the state was inaugurated by Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Mohammad Ashraf Bukhari yesterday.

As many as 40 stalls have been installed and Silk Traders and Manufacturers from 11 states of the country are participating in Silk Expo. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with Ministry of Textiles has given special focus to develop and promote silk sector in the State.

Interacting with Silk Manufacturers and Dealers, the Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture emphasized the need to promote quality and develop the silk brand. He also stressed to promote age old silk industry of the State and provide facilities to Silk Manufacturers and Dealers for promotion in such silk expo.

The Commissioner Secretary said that such expo should be organized frequently both at Kashmir and Jammu for promotion of silk production of the state.

Such Expo organized last year earned an amount of Rs 1.5 crore turnovers. This year a good turnover is expected, said Bukhari and urged the organizers to organize similar Silk Expo in Kashmir valley also.

Director Local Bodies Jammu Soujania Sharma, Director Sericulture Dr. Malik Farooq, Joint Director Central Silk Board Gopal, Additional Director Sericulture and other officers of Sericulture and Central Silk Board were present on the occasion.

The Silk Expo held at Kala Kendra, Bikram Chowk, Jammu will conclude on February 7, 2016.