KCCI Becomes First in J&K to Issue Digital Certificates of Origin via DGFT Trade Connect Portal
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 23 July 2025
A Landmark Leap: KCCI Joins India’s Elite Export Certifiers
In a historic breakthrough for Jammu and Kashmir’s business ecosystem, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has been officially authorised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, to issue Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin via the digital Trade Connect Portal.
This makes KCCI the first and only organisation in J&K entrusted with this critical responsibility, placing it among a select group of accredited chambers across India. For exporters in Kashmir, it signals the dawn of a new era in trade facilitation and digital compliance.
Digital-First Trade: Manual Certificates Discontinued from 2025
Starting January 1, 2025, the DGFT has mandated a complete nationwide shift from manual to digital processing of Certificates of Origin (Non-Preferential). This reform, aligned with India’s Digital India vision and global trade standards, eliminates manual paperwork and reduces delays in the certification process.
All exporters are now required to process their applications via the Trade Connect Portal — an online platform developed by DGFT to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
Empowering Local Exporters: A Game-Changer for J&K Businesses
For decades, exporters from Jammu & Kashmir had to depend on chambers outside the region to obtain Certificates of Origin. This added layers of logistical challenges, especially for small businesses and artisans.
With KCCI’s new authorisation:
- Exporters can file and receive certificates digitally without stepping out of the valley
- No more physical submissions, couriering documents or delays
- KCCI ensures trusted local verification and support
Key Sectors to Benefit:
- Handicrafts and Carpets: Exporters of Pashmina, chain-stitch, and other handwoven items
- Shawl & Wool Products: Iconic Kashmiri woolen exports
- Horticulture Produce: Apples, cherries, walnuts, and saffron
- Agri-based Exports: Rice, grains, herbs, and spices
- Processed Foods: Pickles, jams, and dried fruits
These sectors, which form the backbone of J&K’s export economy, will now enjoy greater global integration and faster export documentation.
What is a Certificate of Origin (COO)?
A Certificate of Origin is an internationally recognised trade document that certifies that goods in an export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured, or processed in a particular country.
- Required by customs authorities abroad to determine tariff treatment
- Ensures compliance with destination country regulations
- Helps in claiming trade preferences or exemptions
In short, it is a passport for exported goods, and essential for cross-border commerce.
Trade Connect Portal: Easy, Efficient, Transparent
The Trade Connect Portal is the official digital interface created by the DGFT for exporters to apply for and track their Certificate of Origin.
Features:
- Online application and document upload
- Real-time status tracking
- Secure digital issuance of COOs
- Audit trail and compliance for authorities
With KCCI as the verifying body for J&K, exporters can expect:
- Faster turnaround times
- Elimination of intermediaries
- Reduced chances of errors or rejections
“Landmark Achievement”: KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga Speaks
Speaking on this milestone, KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga called it a:
“Landmark achievement for the business community of Kashmir. Exporters no longer need to rely on institutions outside the region for essential certifications. We are proud to serve our exporters locally and efficiently.”
He also highlighted KCCI’s commitment to supporting businesses through training, technical support, and procedural guidance.
Need Help? KCCI Offers End-to-End Support
KCCI understands that the shift from manual to digital may be challenging for some exporters.
That’s why the Chamber has announced:
- Dedicated helplines and in-office support desks
- Hands-on guidance for uploading documents on the portal
- Workshops and FAQs to help navigate digital certification
Exporters experiencing any difficulty are encouraged to visit or contact the Chamber office for assistance.
Beyond Trade: A Symbol of Local Empowerment
This authorisation is more than just an operational update. It’s a symbolic and strategic shift:
- Recognising the economic potential of Jammu & Kashmir
- Boosting business confidence in local institutions
- Advancing Kashmir’s integration into the global market
As the only authorised Chamber in the UT to offer COO certification online, KCCI now stands as a gateway for Kashmir’s export future.
Impact Outlook: What Lies Ahead for J&K’s Trade
This move is expected to generate long-term benefits:
- 📈 Increase in export volumes due to ease of documentation
- 🧾 Better compliance and fewer rejections at foreign customs
- 💼 Strengthening of J&K’s export credibility on global platforms
- 🌐 Attraction of new buyers seeking authenticated and compliant sellers
- 👩💻 Digital upskilling of exporters for future global standards
The digitisation also brings Kashmir closer to becoming a smart trade hub, equipped to meet international expectations.
Bottom-Line: A New Chapter in Kashmir’s Export Journey
With the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry stepping into its new role, Jammu & Kashmir exporters are now better positioned to access global markets with confidence. The shift to digital certification not only simplifies logistics but also symbolises trust, empowerment, and efficiency.
For Kashmir’s artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs, this is more than paperwork. It is recognition, inclusion, and a gateway to global growth.
If trade is the lifeline of economic growth, then trust and transparency are its heartbeat – and Kashmir is finally plugged into that pulse.
For inquiries, exporters can visit the official KCCI office or log on to the Trade Connect Portal for seamless documentation.
PRESS NOTE
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has been formally authorised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, to issue the Certificate of Origin (Non-Preferential) through the online Trade Connect Portal.
This significant development positions KCCI among a select group of business chambers across India entrusted with this responsibility.
The DGFT has mandated that, effective 1st January 2025, the manual issuance of Certificates of Origin will be discontinued nationwide. All such certifications are now to be processed exclusively through the digital platform, marking a major shift toward streamlining export documentation and compliance with international trade norms.
With this authorisation, KCCI becomes the first and only Business Chamber in Jammu & Kashmir empowered to issue online Certificates of Origin, enabling exporters from the region to access this crucial facility locally through a trusted institution. The Certificate of Origin is an essential document required by customs authorities in importing countries to establish the origin of goods, and it plays a pivotal role in facilitating smooth international trade.
KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga termed it a “landmark achievement” for the business community of Kashmir.
Exporters in J&K can now apply for the Certificate of Origin via the Trade Connect Portal, the dedicated online platform developed by DGFT. KCCI will process and verify the applications submitted through this portal, thus eliminating the need for physical submissions.
This step is expected to benefit a wide range of export sectors from Jammu & Kashmir, including handicrafts, carpets, shawls, horticulture, agri-produce, and processed food items, by facilitating a more seamless and globally aligned export certification process.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry expresses its gratitude to the DGFT for this recognition and assures the business community of its continued commitment to supporting and expanding Kashmir’s trade and export potential in the global marketplace.
Any exporter facing any difficulty in the issuance of Certificates of Origin (COOs) may contact the Chamber office for assistance and necessary support in navigating the online process.
Faiz Ahmad Bakshi
Secretary General
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry INC.
2ND FLOOR, MOHIDIN TRUST BUILDING, RESIDENCY ROAD, SRINAGAR-KASHMIR-190001
TEL: 0194-2455446/2482176
FAX : 0194: 2452517
E-MAIL : thekashmirchamber@gmail.com
Website : www.thekcci.in
