The Centre for Responsible Business along with the Responsible Jewellery Council today organized a workshop for the gem & jewellery sector on promoting Responsible Value Chains in India. A panel of industry representatives, including GJEPC Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray, discussed the contribution made by the private sector to achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

The main objective of holding such workshops was to help assess the challenges and opportunities for Indian industries in selected sectors in contributing towards SDGs and enabling businesses better measure, document and monitor their activities in this regard. The event also focused on how to communicate more effectively with key internal and external stakeholders and contribute towards creating an enabling and neutral business environment where multiple stakeholders could dialogue on and identify areas for policy reforms and industry actions

Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC made a presentation on the export performance and contribution of the Indian gem and jewellery export sector as well as its future potential, the actors involved in the growth of sector and the country’s competitiveness. Ray also elaborated on the further sustainable development of the G&J sector in India, and the CSR activities taken up by GJEPC such as Parichay Card, Swasthya Ratna, Swasthya Kosh, Jewellers for Hope, infrastructure projects like the jewellery park, CFCs and gem bourse. He further discussed the changing scenario of the sector, the steps towards women’s empowerment, skilling and training including setting up of institutions, youth employment, health and safety measures etc.

Other speakers on the panel included Kinjal Shah, Regional Director, India- Middle East, Responsible Jewellery Council and Rajeev Garg, ED&CEO, GJSCI.

Pic caption: GJEPC ED Sabyasachi Ray speaking at the CRB-RJC workshop