Dubai: Indian businessman announces $100 million investment in Jammu and Kashmir

Century Financial chief Bal Krishen signs MoU to build 3 hotels in newly-formed Union Territory

Mazhar Farooqui

Published: Sat 8 Jan 2022, 2:18 PM

A prominent Indian businessman in Dubai has announced a $100 million investment in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bal Krishen, chairman of Century Financial, signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard with the Jammu Kashmir government at a special event in Dubai on Friday.

The exclusive get-together, described as a ‘meeting of hearts’, was presided by Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant-governor general of Jammu and Kashmir.

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The MoU was signed by Ranjan Thakur, principal secretary, industries and commerce department (Jammu and Kashmir) and Bal Krishen in the presence of Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai, Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of the Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), and several UAE-based business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Century Financial owner Bal Krishen, who originally hails from the Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, said he will set up three hotels and a mix-use development project in the union territory to strengthen its hospitality and tourism industry.

The MoU comes on the heels of three other landmark agreements between the Jammu and Kashmir government and UAE-based companies.

On Thursday, retail major LuLu inked a deal to establish a food processing and logistic hub in Srinagar, while real estate giant Emaar recently announced a 500,000 square feet mall, also in Srinagar. Earlier, DP World singed an MoU to build an inland port in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Manoj Sinha, who’s visiting the UAE to promote investments in J&K, said he’s overwhelmed by the support and keen interest shown by UAE entities in partnering with them.

“Jammu & Kashmir has immense potential that is waiting to be tapped,” Sinha said.

Thakur said the newly formed Union Territory ticked all the right boxes for investors because of cheap electricity and skilled manpower, among other things

He said plans are also afoot to improve flight connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir and the UAE.