FHRAI signs MoU with J&K govt. To develop hospitality & related infrastructure in the UT

New Delhi, Jan 06: The third largest Hospitality Association in the world and India’s apex hospitality Association - Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to promote hospitality and related infrastructure in the Union Territory. This is the first time in history that a joint MoU has been signed between an Association of hotels and restaurants and the Government. The MoU was signed on 27th December 2021 at the Real Estate Summit 2021 jointly organized by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Govt. of India, and National Real Development Council (NAREDCO) at the Jammu Convention Centre.

Thirty-nine MoUs were signed for the development of housing, hotel and commercial projects. Mr Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President represented the hospitality industry at the event and signed the joint MoU for FHRAI.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs graced the event which focused on providing an effective platform to showcase potential Real Estate investment opportunities and intensive discussions were held on the policy and regulatory framework. The summit also had the august presence of Shri. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for PMO, Shri. Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Durga Shanker Mishra- Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, GoI and various dignitaries from the J&K Tourism Ministry, among others.

“FHRAI is honoured to have received the opportunity to represent the hospitality industry. We thank the MoHUA, the J&K Government and NAREDCO for inviting us and signing the MoU to develop hospitality and related infrastructure in the region. J&K is a very promising venue with wonderful people and a hospitality-friendly ecosystem. With this MoU, we look forward to strengthening further, the Public-Private partnership in the region to leverage on the enormous potential, the region has to offer for hospitality and tourism. We are hopeful that this will facilitate the J&K Government providing land to FHRAI members for various projects and extending incentives and other benefits as per extant policies and rules. New developments in hospitality will give a strong push to economic growth through increased

investments and will create more employment opportunities in the region,” says Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.

At the event, Mr Kohli also participated in a panel discussion titled, ‘Next Destination J&K: Tourism, Films & Entertainment, Logistics, Commercial, Warehousing’. He along with the co-panellists stressed on the need of promoting the region as an untapped destination for the growth in infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and real estate. The panel discussion witnessed participation from Shri Rohit Kansal, Secretary- Information Department, Govt. of J&K, Shri Sarmed Hafez, Secretary- Tourism Department, Govt. of J&K, Smt. Anoo Malhotra, Director- I&C, Jammu, Shri Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Director- I&C, Jammu, Shri Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO- Chalet Hotels Ltd., Shri Nitin Desai, Art Director & Producer, Shri Rajesh Gupta, Executive Committee Member- LEAD, Ms. Khair Ull Nissa, Executive Director- WTC and WTCA Board Member.

About Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI):

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is the apex body of the Indian Hospitality industry. Founded in 1955, the FHRAI is the third-largest Hospitality association in the world and has diligently built on its rich legacy. The Association is today privileged to serve as the leading voice of the hotel and restaurant industry and plays a seminal role in supporting the growth trajectory of India's hospitality and tourism sector. FHRAI provides a vibrant interface between the industry, government, regulatory bodies, academia, international organizations, civil society and the media.

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