Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal visited SEEPZ-SEZ at Andheri, Mumbai on 22nd October and reviewed the progress of various initiatives being undertaken during its Golden Jubilee Year celebrations.
While SEEPZ-SEZ has commenced the implementation of a ₹200 crore makeover, projected as SEEPZ-SEZ Version 2.0 Rebooted, the review meeting primarily focused on the Mega Common Facilities Centre (CFC), which is slated to be operational by 1st May, 2023, being taken from concept to creation at a cost of ₹82.31 crore.
During the interaction, the Minister was briefed on the current status of the ongoing initiatives by the Development Commissioner (DC), SEEPZ-SEZ Shyam Jagannathan and Joint Development Commissioner (JDC), SEEPZ-SEZ CPS Chauhan.
The JDC SEEPZ-SEZ informed the Commerce and Industry Minister regarding the ongoing process of work, certain permissions, delays and the engagements allotted for the project. He added that daily reports are being filed and discussed.
The Mega CFC will provide technical assistance to the gems & jewellery industry, especially SMEs, offering usage of various technology services and the latest machinery and equipment. It will enhance the quality, productivity, manpower skill, domestic R&D, technological advancement and cost competitiveness.
The facility will have a Training Centre for imparting skill development courses and developing skilled manpower for the industry. The R&D centre in the Mega CFC aims at driving innovation and new technology to give the industry a cutting edge in competing in exports across markets worldwide.
SEEPZ-SEZ has evolved into the single largest concentration of gem and jewellery units globally. Today, the number of gem and jewellery units operational at SEEPZ-SEZ has grown to 182 and it accounts for a quarter of the jewellery imports of the USA. SEEPZ contributes to 53% of India’s studded jewellery export and 31% of total jewellery export from India.