Economy

Major industrial activities in J&K – II

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2021

BK Editor

Dhaar Mehak M

The informal sector is the part of an economy that is not registered with the relevant government authorities. The birth and growth of this sector is non-linear and follows no set pattern or the existing theoretical prediction. The empirical investigation following the developmental paths and trajectories of various developed and developing nations shows that birth, growth, decline and death hasn’t been the same. While the experiences of developed nations validate the eventual decline and end of the informal sector, the experiences of developing nations put the informal sector in an important position to usher in the process of industrial development.

In the developmental context of India, the informal sector has been an important source of providing sustenance to families, generating employment and meeting the local demand. Given the limited availability and access to public resources at the national level, the government policy and public sector have not been able to cater to the needs and demands of the people. As a coping strategy and a way out, people have found their ways towards the informal sector engagements. Over time the sector has rather shown an overall growth across the nation as against the prediction of the theories visualizing an end of this sector as one of the pre-requisites of development.

Agriculture for years has been a dominant economic activity in the region however mountain agriculture is not able to come out of subsistence to commercialization. As a result the returns from this sector have been low, pushing people out from it. Tourism has been another comparative advantageous economic venture in the region. Fragility and political instability has kept this sector from flourishing. As a result, people in J&K have steadily been pushed into the informal sector.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the trend corresponds to the national level evidence. The informal sector in the region has also registered growth over time as is validated by various national level data-sets including the NSSO and PLFS. Agriculture for years has been a dominant economic activity in the region however mountain agriculture is not able to come out of subsistence to commercialization. As a result, the returns from this sector have been low, pushing people out from it. Tourism has been another comparative advantageous economic venture in the region. Fragility and political instability have kept this sector from flourishing. As a result, people in J&K have steadily been pushed into the informal sector.

The Table ranks the dominant activities in the informal sector in Jammu and Kashmir as per the latest data availability. The ascendancy of these units points to their viability as low risk and viable profit ventures. Like the formal sector, the informal sector too mainly consists of need-based units. Most of the units deal in the retail sale of household perishable goods. These units which are in the form of shop establishments are found in all the localities of the region across rural and urban belts.

There is always business viability associated with these types of ventures. People from the households prefer to buy groceries from the nearest possible retailer and thus the normal profit is the least and assured return promised by these types of businesses. Tailoring activities rank just next. Given the changing seasons in Jammu and Kashmir and the distinct clothing style of both men and women, they prefer to stitch their clothes than buying ready-made and at the same time need different fabrics across the seasons. The investment in these ventures is small and can be household-based too. At the same time, this sector has the potential to empower women through household-based flexible employment.

Being a consumer economy, the demand for all types of goods is very high in the region across the year, opening scope for the transportation industry. Over time there has been the development of the trend among the locals to invest in the freight transportation sector at the individual level. Though very popular among the lower-middle-class sector it has come to witness some decline in recent times due to a number of natural disasters and political fragility shocks. The current viability to invest in the sector is not too high however a huge number of existing informal sector participants is involved in this business activity.

Another related sector ranks just next. Despite the loss faced by the tourism sector the demand for Jammu and Kashmir tourism still exists in the country and across the globe. As a result, the taxi service in the region has been yet another promising venture in the informal sector. The use of taxi services has been rather limited among the people and startups like Kehwa and Jugmu cabs for the general public have just begun.

To begin with, the current major potential lies in the necessity-based industrial ventures. Based on the level of investment in hand both formal and informal sector are equally viable. If given proper consideration based on entrepreneurial instincts and government support, the businesses mentioned in formal and informal sector are low risk ventures.

The development of the beauty industry in the region appeared late but grew quick. Women especially have been involved in this sector. Opening and growth of the beauty parlours and salons can be seen spanning across the lengths and breadths of the region. This sector has especially shown growth in the region. Many women have opened these ventures inside their household premises making their operation flexible and demand localized. The local embroidery styles including hand Tilla and Aari are very famous across the globe. Families have been involved in these skill laden trades and have been passing on the same.

Both the demand and supply are high and being skill-based this sector always promises returns to the participants. The beginning of restaurant and café culture is equally novel in the region, the growth equally rapid! This sector has lately been growing and receiving an immense response, especially from the youth population. The startups in this industry have been doing well and the potential still exists for further diversification.

The construction and allied industry in Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Kashmir region has always had high-end potential given the local demand. As a result, the informal sector has shown some considerable growth in the manufacturing, production and sale of items corresponding to this sector. From the wood-based requirements to furniture and flooring and beyond the potential of this sector is yet to be explored completely. Given the innovations, people at the micro and household level can get involved in the customization of these items and expect a genuine profit and growth of the business over time.

From the analysis of both the formal and informal sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, it can be seen that the scope and potential of industrialization in the region is very high but specific. To begin with, the current major potential lies in the necessity-based industrial ventures. Based on the level of investment in hand both formal and informal sectors are equally viable. If given proper consideration based on entrepreneurial instincts and government support, the businesses mentioned in the formal and informal sectors are low-risk ventures. The future policymaking should be informed about the specific business potential in the region and the industrial policy push can be given based on these considerations.

Specialising in the industrial process of J&K, the author is a Senior Research Fellow in the University of Kashmir’s Economics Department. She can be reached at dhaarmehak@gmail.com

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Economy

Global eCommerce boom and local traders of Kashmir

Published

3 months ago

March 5, 2023

BK Editor

A Structural Shift in the Market Preferences

Dhaar Mehak M

Tabeen J Wali

The global eCommerce market was expected to be worth a total of $5.7 trillion by the end of 2022. That figure is estimated to grow over the next few years; exhibiting the fact that borderless eCommerce is becoming a profitable option for online retailers. It is giving a market space to one and all with a potential or product to sell. Only two years ago, 17.8% of sales globally were made from online purchases. That number is again expected to reach 20.8% by the end of 2023; a 2 percentage point increase in eCommerce market share. This growth is expected to continue, reaching 23% by 2025, translating to an increase of 5.2 percentage points in just five years.

Economic projections and forecasts predict the global retail sales growth to rise even further and take up more retail market share. According to research completed by eMarketer and Statista, online retail sales will reach $6.51 trillion by 2023, with eCommerce websites taking up 22.3% of total retail sales. Although retail has had it tough since 2020, every national market covered by eMarketer saw double-digit eCommerce growth. The trend continues globally: Latin America (including Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico) saw $104 billion in eCommerce sales in 2022, up 22.4% from $85 billion in 2021. The UK is forecasted to continuously increase by $85.7 billion (+42.88%) within the next years.

China continues to lead the global eCommerce market, accounting for 46.3% of all retail eCommerce sales worldwide, with total online sales just over the $2.8 trillion mark in 2022. It also has the world’s most digital buyers, 842.1 million, representing 39.4% of the global total. The US eCommerce market is forecasted to reach more than $904.9 billion in 2022, a little over a third of China’s. After China and the US, the third-largest eCommerce market is the United Kingdom, taking up 4.8% of the retail eCommerce sales share. The UK is followed by Japan (3%) and South Korea (2.5%). The top five eCommerce markets haven’t changed since 2018. Trends from eMarketer suggest that these markets will stay in the top five until 2025.

While the whole world has been witnessing the structural transformation and shift in terms of market transformations from retailing to online shopping, the Indian economy has been a part of the process. In light of the same, the Jammu and Kashmir economy has had an equal and equally growing participation in the same. The advent of the internet and the arrival of eCommerce technology in the lives of average Kashmiris have changed the shopping preferences and experiences of the locals. People no longer have to battle issues like vehicular traffic on the roads or wait in queues for long hours. Accredited to the growth of eCommerce technology, locals have been empowered to shop anywhere-anytime just at the click of a button.

However, in the recent past, there was no (or very limited) concept of eCommerce in Kashmir. Smartphone availability to the general public was rare. The masses were barely aware about the internet facilities and global communication channels. There was no idea of online shopping, online transactions, etc. With time and the availability of the internet along with the growing mobile phone penetration, eCommerce made its presence felt in the valley. However, due to slower internet connection issues like 2G and lack of awareness, people initially had apprehensions and thus were afraid of buying things online.

Tracing the roots and history of online shopping awareness in J&K, it dates back to the year 2008 when the mobile internet was making its headway into the valley. People were gaining affordable and available access to wireless internet. It was around the same time that after bearing a lot of hardships with sorting out the supply chains Flipkart became operational and function in the region. the initial years were tough and hard but the company stood steadfast. It took some time for Flipkart to cut through lots of hurdles alone and get to success. Being the only player in the online market in the region for quite some time it was a big deal to keep surviving and floating. But the outcomes were a success.

Steadily as people gain access to quality internet services and advanced smartphone technology the word spread. It was observed that doorstep delivery was actually a reality. At the same time, the quality of the delivery matched the promises of the website. The trust factor got built. Witnessing optimism within the J&K market, other companies like Amazon, SnapDeal, and other local online stores, etc., started jumping in to tap into the growing eCommerce market. The consumers got the opportunity of choosing from a wide range of products. Not only that, discounts and sales from time to time offer big benefits to consumers.

All these factors have been contributing towards a structural market shift. People from across J&K have been moving from in-person retail shopping to online shopping. While the consumers in the region have surely benefitted both in terms of utility/satisfaction and profit maximization, the retailers have been losing.

The J&K economy is predominantly characterized as a consumer economy. The characteristics of being a producer and self-sufficient economy have been limited and rather absent for a long time. It is the retailer of J&K, who has been at the losing end on account of the growth of the online markets. Retailing has been one of the most common business ventures of people across the region of J&K. Setting up of the shops and selling various items has been a known venture. People for generations have been relying on this activity. Lately, the structural change is challenging this segment of J&K businessmen and the immediate solution visible is evolution. These businessmen, particularly retailers, need to adjust to the changing market and make themselves competitive enough to compete with global online sellers. The only other option is to let the business supper, deteriorate and shut down.

The authors are affiliated with the Department of Economics, Islamic University of Science and Technology & can be reached at dhaarmehak@gmail.com and tabeen45@gmail.com

business

Women shaping informal sector in Kashmir

Published

8 months ago

October 11, 2022

BK Editor

Dhaar Mehak M

The informal sector is defined as the unregistered part of an economy. In a traditional economy, it is assumed that every business entity is formally registered with the government. A proper registration of a business unit is associated with a number of economic, political and social factors. All the registered units to begin with are enumerated in the industrial census. It keeps the government and policy makers informed about the number and nature of the units. The economic and industrial policies are made and shaped in light of these numbers. Social welfare is decided based on the outcomes coming from these registered units. And the long run industrial and economic planning is carried systematically based on information and evidence from the ground.

Quite contrary to this established smooth channel of economic growth and transition, the developing and under-developed parts of the world have been reflecting self-curated unique trends. First of all, the formal sector has not been able to expand as expected. This has led to limited employment opportunities coming from this sector to the ever-increasing populations and youth bulges. As an instinct to survive, people are forced to find some or other kind of employment. This has led to the creation of and the growth of the informal sector across these pockets of the world. The case of India is one of the fundamental ones. The Indian economy is characterized as having one of the most unique and large informal sectors across the world. 80% to 85% Indian population is estimated to be employed directly and indirectly in the informal sector.

Empirics show that Jammu and Kashmir has reflected growth in the informal sector over time. On the eve of the creation of the welfare state in the region headed by Sheikh M Abdullah, a socialistic model of development was brought into practice. It was called, ‘The Naya Kashmir Manifesto’. Among other things, one of the main agendas of the manifesto was to set in place a public sector-led industrialization process in J&K. As such, all the industries established under the Naya Kashmir Manifesto are a-priori classified as the formal sector firms. The political instability and fragility in the region kept on increasing and the focus of the government as predicted by theory and validated by practice shifted to peace restoration activities. This gave a back-lash to the public sector lead industrialization process in the region.

Steadily people began to look for alternative means of livelihood and subsistence. This set in place the informal sector across all the pockets of the region. The instability during the decades of 1990s, followed by various political and natural shocks during the 2000s made people realize that each person must be skilful and must practice the same in order to keep on bringing in sustenance money. The Kashmir division is particularly known to be diversified in various types of craft. From Ari work, through Tilla designing, people have bene utilising their skills to cash in some money. The wood-carving, Pashmina making and many distinct skills indigenous to Kashmir have been practiced in the informal sector by both men and women over time.

Of late there has been an Information Technology boom. The 2000 AD has seen a drastic revolutionising of the world through the spread of the World Wide Web. Mobile phone penetration has made the world an accessible global village. The social media applications of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp have empowered people in a number of ways. People started off with sharing their pictures and highlighting their skills online on social media platforms. On receiving appreciation their confidence rose and soon people started to ask if some of their skills could be shared or used.

These platforms have greatly affected the economic well-being of the women located across various regions of Kashmir. Initially, women from different ages and social backgrounds strolled these platforms. Some of them enhanced their existing skills or learnt new ones online. This was followed by trying a hand at the commercialisation of the same, which in many cases has yielded a positive response. There are a number of examples that can be quoted as brief case studies in the present article.

The Instagram page by the handle of @makeupshakeupbynidanazir evolved over time. Nida has always been fond of make-up and lipsticks. As a child she always bought makeup and accessories from her pocket money. Applied the same on her dolls, herself, her cousins and her mother and grandmother occasionally. Over time she mastered the skill. From turning pages of magazines to learning online through YouTube etc. her skills enhanced steadily. It was her friend’s engagement and Nida offered to do her make-up. The outcomes were really appreciable. The friends decided to open up on online platform to display her make-up skills. The bookings soon followed and today Nida is a known name in the local make-up industry.

Saba married a doctor who lived in Saudi Arabia. Soon after her marriage, she moved to KSA with her husband. She always liked chocolates and began exploring the chocolates of KSA. Later in 2016, she shifted back to Kashmir with her kids. The kids and herself started missing the unique chocolates of KSA. One day Saba decided to curate her own. The chocolates turned out to be good. She shared the same with her sister and cousins. She was influenced to upload the same on Instagram. Steadily, the popularity of her chocolates grew and orders started to flow in. Today Saba is an established name in the curated and customized local chocolate industry.

There are innumerable other success stories which will be discussed steadily. But the underlying point of the present article is that the informal sector in Kashmir has been growing ever since the formal industrial set-up took a back-set during 1950s. Initially it was hidden and the returns were menial or limited. However, with the growth of the internet boom the women in the region have been able to harness the benefits and the informal sector has been growing steadily and sustainably. In Kashmir, this sector can be directly related to women’s empowerment and is expected to increase steadily over time.

The author teaches at the Department of Economics, Islamic University of Science and Technology, J&K and can be reached at dhaarmehak@gmail.com

Economy

Rural mart inaugurated under NABARD scheme

Published

9 months ago

September 20, 2022

BK Editor

BK NEWS

Shopian, Sept 20: National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) has collaborated with National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for extending the grant support to SHGs promoted by NRLM for setting up rural marts. These marts aim to promote and provide a platform for women’s self-help groups to market their handmade products.

The rural mart was inaugurated on 20 Sept 2022, at Shopian

Dr AK Sood, CGM NABARD J&K, SSP Shopian Tanushree, NRLM Reyaz Ahmad, and ADDC Shopian, Manzoor Hussain were present for the inauguration ceremony.

The mart will give numerous SHGs an opportunity to sell their homemade goods, including apparel, handloom and handicraft products, homemade food items, dry fruits, and more.
For a period of three years, NABARD has agreed to commit Rs 4.79 lakh as financial support for each rural market. NABARD will pay for the components, such as shop rent, salesman salaries, marketing costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Dr Sood, CGM NABARD, urged the female SHG members to use the mart as an opportunity for economic growth and to guarantee the continuity, quality, and quantity of local goods for both locals and tourists.
Additional Mission Director NRLM commended SHGs for taking such a unique initiative in the district.

“Rural mart to be run by female SHGs is the first step towards women empowerment in the district,” said Tanushree, SSP Shopian

Members of various SHGs from the district attended the event. Deputy General Manager NABARD Surinder Singh, District Development Manager NABARD Rouf Zargar, DPMs NRLM Uzma Mehraj and Irfan were also present on the occasion.