The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in association with the MSME Development Institute (MSME-DI), Indore, which is part of the MSME Ministry, Government of India, and the Madhya Pradesh Swarnakar Kalyan Samiti (MPSKM) held two seminars to create awareness about exports – one for artisans and the other for jewellers – at Indore on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

The day’s programme commenced with the MSME Seminar for Artisans with presentations by Chief Guest Shri Paneerselvam, Director, MSME Agra & Indore and Shri Nilesh Trivedi, Assistant Director, MSME, Indore who provided detailed information about various schemes of the central and state governments for artisans.

In the subsequent seminar for jewellers, which was also supported by TM2 Digital, Shri Gopikrishna Nima, District President, Indore, the Chief Guest called on the trade to minimise paper work and move to digital transactions.  Shri Nilesh Trivedi, Assistant Director, MSME, Indore, provided detailed information on various schemes of the Government of India and the state government, related to technology, interest subvention, skill training and schemes for students, trademarks, patents, cluster development etc. He also urged the trade to enrol for the Udyog Aadhar scheme.

SBI Bank representatives Shri Kulwant Singh, Chief Manager, and Shri Rahul, Export Credit Manager, provided detailed information about pre and post shipment credit for domestic and export business and assured the industry of cooperation in fulfilling all their needs.

Both sessions were also addressed by Mithilesh Pandey, Director GJEPC, who spoke about the various activities of the Council and highlighted the enormous potential in the export sector and the benefits of becoming a member. His presentations covered welfare schemes of the Council such as Parichay Card, Swasthya Ratna and Swasthya Kosh medical insurance schemes as well as the trade promotion activities including Common Facility Centres, Jewellery Park, IIJS Signature, IIJS Premiere, IGJME, the IGJS export show, Call Centre, Mobile App, etc.

GJEPC representative Mrunali Elle also explained the meaning and definition of MSME and various government schemes to encourage the sector and boost exports such as assistance for participation in exhibitions, Technology Upgradation Scheme, Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme, interest subvention and other incentives, skill development programmes, etc.

Other speakers included Shri Vikas Dholepure, ECGC, who provided information on coverage being provided by them for exporters, and Shri Mihir Turkiya, Independent Consultant, who explained in the respective seminars about the liability of artisans and jewellers with regard to GST, and regulations of DGFT and others regarding exports.

Over 100 participants attended each of the sessions.