The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s Regional Office in Delhi organised an interactive seminar on March 30, 2019 with the objective of welcoming newly enrolled members, educating non-exporters about the G&J export business and strengthening the MSME segment of the sector.

Welcoming the new entrants to the GJEPC family as well as all others present at the event, Ashok Seth, Regional Chairman, Northern Region gave an overview with insights about the Indian gem and jewellery industry, the role of the Council and its specific efforts in increasing exports.

Subsequently, K.K. Duggal, Director - National Policy, GJEPC, made a detailed presentation on the processes of export-import in the gem and jewellery business. He explained the various mandatory documents required, the schemes being initiated and formulated by the Government of India for the industry under the Foreign Trade Policy, other initiatives for upliftment of the sector, and important aspects related to banking and finance channels.

Rupa Dutta, Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, one of the key speakers, informed those present about the various efforts being undertaken by the Government of India to increase exports of gems and jewellery from the country. She stressed that the government was always ready to help this sector, as it is an integral component of the country's export basket.

Ashwani Kapoor, Chief General Manager, MMTC and Arindam Singha Roy, Additional General Manger, MMTC spoke about the various operational schemes in the field of procurement of duty free precious metals and export of jewellery.

While Dinesh Khurana, Chief Manager, Kotak Mahindra Bank highlighted various financing and banking schemes applicable to gem and jewellery exporters, Rajeev Chawla, CEO, IamSME spoke extensively on the various MSME schemes implemented by the Government of India for the sector.

Other speakers included Sumir Dey, Manager- Edelweiss, who gave a presentation on the Swasthya Ratna Policy and its features, and Ritika Sahni, Instructor who spoke about IIGJ and various courses on jewellery manufacturing, designing and gemmology being run by the institute in Delhi.