Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly emerging as a major biotechnology and innovation destination. Addressing a function at Kathua, Dr. Singh said, operationalisation of the Industrial Biotech Park at Ghatti in Kathua district is set to provide a major boost to StartUps, entrepreneurship and research in the region.

The Minister said the Industrial Biotech Park will serve as a hub for incubation of innovative ideas and provide world-class facilities to agri-entrepreneurs, startups, progressive farmers, scientists, researchers, and students from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh as well as neighbouring states including Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. He said, the StartUp revolution has now begun in Jammu and Kashmir, with the startups nurtured under the Aroma Mission becoming successful entrepreneurial models and household names across the country. He stress that the government’s focus is on creating an enabling ecosystem where innovation leads to employment generation, economic growth and sustainable development.

The Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to position India as a global leader in science, technology and biotechnology through flagship initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, which encourage innovation and sustainable economic growth.