The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organised a seminar in Kolhapur on Saturday, May 18, 2019 for the benefit of entrepreneurs and karigars falling under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) category within the gems and jewellery (g&j) industry. 

The seminar was part of an ongoing programme being conducted by GJEPC to promote the g&j MSME sector by imparting information and knowledge, and thus enabling those working within it, to strengthen and develop their businesses further. As part of this programme, GJEPC has been regularly organising seminars, workshops and camps across the country.

The recent seminar, held at the Kolhapur Saraf Vyapari Sangh Hall was on “How to Export; and Cluster Development”.  It was organised jointly with the Kolhapur Saraf Vyapari Sangh and Kolhapur Suvarna Karagir Seva Sanstha and was powered by GIA.

The main focus of the seminar was to create awareness about schemes available for  MSMEs and through the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd.  (NSIC); and to inform them about banking procedures and documentation, export-import procedures; the Cluster Development Programme; Common Facility Centres; Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness scheme; as well as about benefits of becoming members of the GJEPC, and its health insurance and  parichay card schemes.

Around 150 persons attended the seminar, at which a different speakers covered various topics.

Ajit Shah of Universal Connections provided details about export-import procedures and documentation; and explained about bank loans and government subsidies which can be availed of. He told participants that exports should be the priority for the gem and jewellery sector, as the government is giving several export incentives like duty drawback, advance authorisation, MEIS, and EPCG. He briefed the attendees about various benefits available under the MAI scheme under which exporters can receive financial assistance. 

He explained the importance of documentation, the role of banks, and methods of marketing for sound exports.

Mithilesh Pandey, Director, Head Membership, GJEPC, spoke about GJEPC’s Parichay Card, health insurance schemes, and benefits of becoming members of GJEPC; and benefits available to the MSME sector and Udyog Aadhar registration; and how to avail of them and whom to approach for the same.

He said the Parichay Card  is issued to karigars and non-members  to map their skills. This would enable the GJEPC  to create a database which would be useful for the jewellers and karigars as and when employment opportunities arose, which could be matched to  the skills of karigars on the database.

Pandey also spoke about the benefits of the Cluster Development scheme, Lean Manufacturing competitiveness scheme, Common facility Centres, Technology Upgradation Scheme for Machinery under which exporters can receive a loan of  up to Rs. 1 crore with a subsidy of 15%.

He  explained the various projects of the GJEPC and benefits accruing to  g&j MSMEs for each of them. Some of the projects and programmes covered were: IIJS exhibition and institutes like the IIGJ.   

Pandey urged participants to upgrade their knowledge and update themselves with new technology to be on par with global competition.

Shelkhe, GM of DIC, Kolhapur, spoke on areas like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Seed Money Scheme and District Industries Centre Loan Scheme for unemployed youth and new entrepreneurs. 

Further, he said there is a gold loan scheme attracting only 4% interest, and for availing such loans, a  balance sheet and guarantee should be provided.

Shelkhe also apprised participants about a scheme  under which refund of GST and subsidy on interest, power and electricity can be sought.

He said that under the MSME Cluster Development Programme (CDP Scheme) the central government can provide a fund of up to Rs. 15 crore; and state government can provide fund upto Rs. 10 crore. This would be applicable when a minimum of 30 units come together to form a Cluster, equipped with high end machinery which they cannot afford individually.  

Shelkhe cited the examples of the various gold clusters formed in Nanded, Surat and other areas where jewellers are receiving these benefits.

For women entrepreneurs there is 30% subsidy on loans providing at least 50% employees of the firm are women.  Similarly, there is 30% subsidy available for entreprenuers from the SC/ST category.

Tanmay Bandodkar, Representative of Edelweiss Insurance Brokers Limited  briefed participants   about the GJEPC’s health insurance schemes like Swasthya Ratna and Swasthya Kosh, which is available for members and non-members, respectively.

Amrit Patel, from the  Business Development team of GIA, made a presentation  about the various GIA Laboratory services like testing, analysis for treatment of coloured stones and colourless stones; diamond grading reports: Diamond Dossier, Diamond eReport, Diamond Focus; Sealing and Melee Analysis Service.  

He further briefed the attendees about the research done and instruments developed by GIA and how it determines the value of the diamond throughthe  4Cs -  Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. Patel also provided information about GIA’s  various educational courses.

The seminar   concluded with vote of thanks by  Mithlesh Pandey, Director, Membership, GJEPC.

Pic Cap: The house-full audience listening raptly at the recently held seminar at Kolhapur