Mumbai: The year 2016 is being celebrated as ‘Golden Jubilee’ of India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) which was set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966. This is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. GJEPC has been granted autonomous status since 1998.

The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today it represents almost 6,000 exporters in the sector. During las five decades, the GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has continuously strived to expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members. The India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), being organized by the GJEPC since last 33 years has now become one of the most important shows globally and a gateway to India’s gem & jewellery sector.

I must mention here the Council’s measures undertaken to upgrade, upskill and generally improve the industry’s standards and products. It has set up various institutes across the country, foremost among them the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) imparting international quality courses for training artisans and designers for this industry. There are various gemmological institutes under its umbrella like the Gemmological Institute of India (GII), Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur and the Indian Gemmological Institute, New Delhi and Indian Diamond Institute in Surat, undertake research, training and certification activities. (Read more)