The fifth edition of the GJEPC’s Exporter Mentorship Programme (EMP) concluded with a series of advanced sessions designed to help aspiring exporters strengthen their international business strategies. The final week covered market intelligence, GST and export incentives, government schemes, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), international trade promotion and cross-border e-commerce, equipping participants with practical tools to build sustainable export businesses.
Dr. Rashmi Arora, Economist, GJEPC, introduced participants to GJEPC’s exporter support ecosystem, including the CRM Helpdesk and trade intelligence platforms such as Trade Map, the Indian Trade Portal, DGCI&S Export-Import Data Bank and Trade Connect. She demonstrated how exporters can analyse tariff structures, HS Codes, country-specific demand and trade trends to identify export opportunities and make informed business decisions.
Dr. Tamanna Chaturvedi, Export Strategy Expert and EMP faculty, opened the week with advanced sessions on international market selection. She demonstrated how exporters can use Trade Map and other analytical tools to identify promising overseas markets by assessing import demand, market growth, supplier competition, Balance of Trade (BOT), tariff structures and regulatory barriers. Participants also learnt how to tailor market entry strategies according to business size and product category while using trade intelligence to make data-driven export decisions rather than relying on assumptions.
Amit Mulani, Tax & Export Compliance Expert, conducted a comprehensive session on GST, export procedures and government incentive schemes. He explained IGST payment and refund mechanisms, Letters of Undertaking (LUT), Input Tax Credit (ITC), the 0.1% GST procurement scheme for merchant exporters, and export promotion schemes including Duty Drawback (DBK), Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), Advance Authorisation (AA) and RoDTEP. He also addressed customs documentation, export compliance and operational requirements for gems and jewellery exporters.
K.K. Duggal, Senior Director – Policy, GJEPC, outlined India’s gem and jewellery export landscape, explaining how HS Codes, export policies, government incentives and FTAs can help exporters improve market access and strengthen their global competitiveness.
Archana Pandey, Assistant Director, GJEPC, briefed participants on government support available for the sector, highlighting that more than 85% of the gem and jewellery industry falls under the MSME category. She explained the Capacity Building of First-Time MSME Exporters Scheme, Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS), International Cooperation (IC) Scheme, intellectual property assistance and the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, detailing financial support available for certification, exhibitions, design protection and skill development.
Ashish Sakhardande, Head – IJEX, GJEPC, presented the opportunities offered by the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX), Dubai, highlighting its role in connecting Indian exporters with buyers across the UAE and GCC region. He also explained the Trade Connect Programme, Buyer Connect initiatives and the Familiarisation (FAM) Programme that supports exporters entering the Middle East market. Mugdha Deshpande, Assistant Director – International Exhibitions, GJEPC, followed with a session on GJEPC’s international exhibitions and Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs), guiding participants on selecting suitable trade fairs, identifying overseas buyers and expanding into global markets.
The programme concluded with Nitin Khandelwal, Regional Director – Jaipur, GJEPC, who outlined strategies for selling directly to international consumers through digital marketplaces. He covered marketplace selection, product listings, digital marketing, logistics, customer engagement and brand building, while highlighting the growing importance of e-commerce in expanding India’s gem and jewellery exports.