GJEPC and the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) signed an MoU on 23rd September to establish the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) in Guwahati. This move marks a significant step towards empowering the gem & jewellery artisans and entrepreneurs in the North East region.
The partnership aims to provide specialised training and business development support to the gems and jewellery industry, aligning with the government’s PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative. The collaboration is expected to create a vibrant ecosystem for the growth of the local jewellery industry.
Speaking at the MoU exchange ceremony, Mr. Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, expressed his optimism that the partnership with NEHHDC will create a niche centre of IIGJ in the NE region, offering industry-aligned skilling and training to local artisans and entrepreneurs, as well as industry associations, trade bodies and the next-generation aspiring jewellery professionals.
The event was attended by key officials, including Shri Siddharth Himmatsinghka, COO, GJEPC, Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Regional Director, GJEPC Eastern Region, Mr. Koushik SV, Head of IIGJ Udupi, Mr. Lokesh Kumar Parganiha, Deputy Director and HoD, MSME-DFO, Guwahati, and Mr. Palash Bhowmick, Chief Manager, NSIC. Additionally, Mr. Santanu Deka and Mr. Bhaskar Kakoty from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) were present at the ceremony.