Minister says youth-led innovation, startups and entrepreneurship are key to creating new opportunities and strengthening J&K’s economy
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 27: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FS&CA), Information Technology (IT), Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, today attended the concluding ceremony of the three-day National Convergence Platform “EMERGE 2026 – Connecting J&K”, organised in association with the Chamber of Commerce & Industries Kashmir (CCIK).
The concluding ceremony brought together a vibrant gathering of young entrepreneurs, startup founders, business representatives, industry stakeholders and other participants, providing an important platform for dialogue, networking, exchange of ideas and discussion on the emerging opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Satish Sharma appreciated the organisers for successfully conducting EMERGE 2026 and creating a platform that brought the entrepreneurial community, industry and other stakeholders together.
The Minister particularly appreciated the enthusiastic participation of young entrepreneurs and startups, observing that the growing entrepreneurial aspirations of the youth reflect the immense potential available in Jammu and Kashmir.
Satish Sharma said that the Government is committed to creating a conducive environment in which young people can convert innovative ideas into viable enterprises and sustainable sources of employment. He assured the entrepreneurs and startup founders that the Government would extend every possible assistance and support within its mandate whenever required.
He emphasised that the Government, industry bodies, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders need to work in close coordination to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitate the growth of new enterprises.
The Minister highlighted the growing importance of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping the future economy, particularly at a time when digital platforms and emerging technologies are creating new avenues for businesses, startups and young professionals.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir possesses considerable talent among its youth and that this potential needs to be supported through appropriate opportunities, institutional facilitation, mentorship, industry linkages and an enabling business environment.
“Our young entrepreneurs and startups are not merely seeking employment; they are creating opportunities for others. Their ideas, innovation and determination can contribute significantly to the economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government will continue to extend all possible support and facilitate an environment where young people can pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations,” the Minister said.
Satish Sharma also underlined the importance of strengthening the interface between Government, industry, technology institutions, investors, startups and young innovators, stating that such collaboration can help identify practical solutions to challenges faced by emerging enterprises.
He said that platforms like EMERGE 2026 provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to interact directly with industry representatives, share experiences, explore partnerships and understand the opportunities available across different sectors.
The Minister appreciated CCIK for facilitating the convergence of various stakeholders and said that sustained engagement between chambers of commerce, business organisations and the Government can contribute towards identifying bottlenecks and developing practical mechanisms to support businesses and entrepreneurs.
He further stressed the importance of encouraging young people to explore opportunities beyond conventional employment avenues and to consider entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and emerging sectors as viable career pathways.
The Minister said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have demonstrated talent across diverse fields and that the focus should remain on providing them with platforms through which their skills, ideas and entrepreneurial capabilities can be nurtured and connected with wider markets.
He also emphasised the relevance of Information Technology and Science & Technology in creating new opportunities for startups and young innovators, particularly in areas such as digital services, technology-enabled businesses, innovation, research and emerging enterprises.
The Minister said that the convergence of technology and entrepreneurship can help Jammu and Kashmir participate more effectively in the evolving national and global economic landscape.
He encouraged the participating entrepreneurs to continue pursuing innovation, build sustainable business models and explore opportunities for collaboration, while assuring them that their concerns and suggestions would receive due consideration.
The concluding ceremony was attended by the CCIK team, including President Tariq Ghani, Senior Vice President Hussain Khan, JVP Dr. Imran, Joint Secretary Aatif, Chief Coordinator Aashiq Bhat and Convener Umar Jan Wani.
President JKHARA Babar Choudhary also graced the occasion, besides other distinguished guests, entrepreneurs, startup representatives and participants.
The three-day “EMERGE 2026 – Connecting J&K” provided a common platform for interaction and convergence among entrepreneurs, startups, business leaders and other stakeholders, with the concluding session reinforcing the need for continued collaboration to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship and youth-led economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
