A delegation of high ranking political leaders at the state and central levels led by two senior ministers from the Gujarat government, Smt Vasuben Trivedi - Minister of State for Education, Women and Child Welfare (Independent Charge), Higher and Technical Education and Nanubhai Vanani, Minister for Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities, Water Resources, Education and including Surat Mayor Nirajan Jajmera, Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya State BJP head and others, visited the IGJME on Sunday morning to express the support of the Gujarat government to the various initiatives being undertaken by the gems and jewellery industry.
After going around the stalls, the delegation interacted with senior members of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council and Surat Diamond Association.
Greeting the delegation on behalf of the GJEPC, Chandrakant Sanghavi, Regional Chairman, Gujarat, spoke about the achievements of the industry and drew the attention of the delegation to a few initiatives that it would like the government to take. "The industry has achieved status of a world leader in diamonds and now wants to advance to the next level by developing a jewellery manufacturing hub in the state," he said, adding that the government support would be crucial for developing the necessary infrastructure.
Sanghavi also drew the attention of the ministers to the industry request that a Notified Zone be established in Surat where rough diamonds could be traded. "Indian manufacturers have to travel to Antwerp and Israel to source rough for their requirements, whereas with a notified zone, the rough producers will bring their products here itself. This will help the industry advance to a new level." The industry has made presentations in this regard to both the central and state governments, and was hoping to receive a positive response.
He also requested the state government to extend its support to the local associations in the smaller towns where the GJEPC was developing Common Facility Centres. These would provide smaller units located there with access to the latest technology. While the central government has released a grant for establishment of the infrastructure, the associations were finding it difficult to raise the recurring costs of the project, he said and requested the state government to provide them with assistance in this regard.
Congratulating the industry on its remarkable achievements and the world class infrastructure it has established, Trivedi said the government would always support initiatives to further develop the trade. She assured the trade that she and Vanani would discuss the industry’s concerns with the CM shortly, and urged the industry to consider setting up new courses for artisans and establishing a world class educational institute for this purpose.
Dineshbhai Navadiya proposed the Vote of Thanks and requested the government to grant official recognition to the coursed being run by the industry at its educational institutes. A formal degree for gem and jewellery education would attract new talent to the industry and further the interests of the workers, he said. He thanked the government for its support at all times.