A delegation from the diamond industry led by GJEPC vice-chairman Pankaj Parekh met with Madhya Pradesh chief minsiter Shivraj Singh Chauhan and state industry minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia during the state Global Investors Summit that was inaugurated at Indore on October 8. The delegation included Suresh Shah, convener and Saunak Parikh of the Diamond Panel Committee as well as some senior diamantaires. Top officials of Rio Tinto (India) including Nik Senapati and Vikram Merchant were also present.

Current status of the diamond mining project being undertaken by Rio Tinto was discussed. The state government was requested to liaise with the centre to ensure that all clearances and other procedural matters are completed at the earliest.

The discussions then focused on steps that the government could take to encourage the development of the diamond cutting and polishing industry in the state. The GJEPC members outlined some of the key requirements of the industry such as an appropriate location that was secure, well connected to international business centres and had adequate infrastructure; speedy clearances for projects; development of a trained workforce; flexibility in labour laws to cater to the seasonal nature of demand among others.

CM Chauhan assured the delegation that his government was willing to work closely with the industry on all these fronts. He suggested that land could be allotted for setting up of a Gems & Jewellery Park as well as training centres, and that training of local youth could also be subsidised by the government. The CM and industry minister also responded positively to the suggestion that they could send a team to Surat to better understand the needs of the industry. They were also invited to visit Mumbai to further interact with leading diamantaires from the city to take the discussions forward.