GJEPC told to set up new areas

MUMBAI: The government has asked the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to develop new regions within the country to generate employment and provide value addition to the jewellery industry.

The council should explore backward states like Orissa as thousands of workers from there are involved in diamond cutting and polishing at Surat in Gujarat, minister of state for commerce and industry Jairam Ramesh said in a release. Diamond sector accounts for about 80 per cent of total export of gems and jewellery and is estimated to employ 10 lakh artisans and workers.

However, the industry is concentrated mainly in gujarat and maharashtra, Mr Ramesh observed.

To ensure regular supply of rough diamonds, negotiations between Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation and Alrosa of Russia are in advanced stage and a joint venture is expected to be finalised this year, the release said. Mr Ramesh has also held discussions over the past three months with countries including Russia, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Namibia among others. India imports close to usd eight billion of rough diamonds.

Domestically, preliminary explorations carried out by global companies in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh have revealed good prospects for diamond and coloured gemstones, the release said.