Govt organises Sectoral Round Table on Gems & Jewellery

The Bengal government has organised a Sectoral Round Table on Gems and Jewellery in Mumbai on July 4 where 24 prominent industry players and associations from the sector participated in the discussion.

This Round Table meet was a prelude to Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2018 scheduled on January 16 and 17. State Industry, Commerce and Finance minister Amit Mitra, Rajiva Sinha, the Additional Chief Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Department and Vandana Yadav, MD, WBIDC addressed the session.

The minister and the Additional Chief Secretary have informed the participants that the state government will formulate a policy on the Gems and Jewellery sector in consultation with the stakeholders. The state will also set up a training hub in collaboration with the Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation.

A common Facility Centre with the help of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, India's apex body supported by the ministry of Commerce and industry will be built. The facilities of Manikanchan Gems and Jewellery Park will be upgraded.

The representatives from the state government said that Bengal is the fourth largest state in India. It has recorded 15.64 percent Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2016-17 contributing significantly in the growth of the country. Gems and jewellery has always been an important sector for Bengal. The state has a rich and continuing tradition of craftsmanship for handmade gold jewellery. Around 80 percent of skilled artisans and goldsmiths all over India are from West Bengal.

The size of the gems and jewellery sector in Bengal is estimated at Rs 38,000 crore in 2016-17 which is 11 percent of the national turnover. The state government targets to increase the share to 20 percent and make West Bengal the gems and jewellery hub of the country.

It may be mentioned that the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) is coming up with a Gems and Jewellery Park at Ankurhati, Domjur in Howrah district on a six acre plot. The location is easily accessible from Kolkata and has sizeable concentration of skilled and semi-skilled workers in surrounding areas thereby making the prospect of the project bright. The project is strategically located within the prime gold manufacturing cluster of the eastern region making it an enviable property.