The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organised a week-long training programme from January 6-10, 2020, on Gold & Jewellery Appraising, for officers of Kolkata Customs. This was undertaken in order to facilitate exports from the Eastern Region of the country. Faculty from the Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) Surat was enlisted for the training. 

On completion of the training, a certificate distribution ceremony was held with Deep Sekhar, Principal Commissioner of Customs (Airport), Kolkata, as chief guest. Prakash Chandra Pincha, Regional Chairman, GJEPC - Eastern Region was also present along with other members of the trade.

In his speech, Shri Sekhar applauded the efforts of GJEPC. He said that customs as trade facilitator always tries to help the industry in increasing its exports. Such initiatives on the part of the trade further strengthens the efforts in smoothening of the export process.  

The training program included identification of colour gemstones, diamond grading, purity test of precious metal on XRF Machine and introduction to the assaying technique. Thirty-three Customs officers from different levels of Kolkata Customs Commissionerate successfully completed the week-long training programme. 

Pramod Kumar Agrawal, Chairman, GJEPC, in a message said: “Our effort is to further enhance the ease of doing business in the sector and such training initiatives will help upgrade the existing skills of customs officials. As high ticket value items, it is necessary, the goods don’t get stuck at any level without any genuine reasons. This will help us to deliver the products to the customers in a timely manner.”

Prakash Chandra Pincha, Regional Chairman, GJEPC - Eastern Region said, “Upgrading the skills of customs officials will further smoothen the exports of Jewellery from the Kolkata Airport, as the officials will be more competent to examine and appraise Gem & Jewellery Export and Import cargo.”

GJEPC also conducts regular awareness and training workshops across the gem and jewellery clusters in India. The trade members are made aware of the latest policies and schemes offered by the Government. Through the skill upgradation programme, GJEPC’s effort is to help the members improve their contribution for the growth of the industry.

Pic Cap: (lft to rt): Sanjay Singh-Regional Director-Eastern Region, GJEPC; Prakash Chandra Pincha, Regional Chairman-Eastern Region-GJEPC; Deep Sekhar, IRS, Principal Commissioner of Customs;  Sydney D’Silva, IRS, Additional Commissioner of Customs; Dr. Tanisha Dutta, Deputy Commissioner of Customs; Rajneesh Meena, Deputy Commissioner of Customs;   Pankaj Parekh, Member-Eastern Region Committee, GJEPC; Hitesh Verma,  Deputy Director, Indian Diamond Institute.