Kolkata: Mr. Colin Shah, Chairman of India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), held a series of meetings in Kolkata last week and discussed issues related to gem and jewellery exports with stakeholders from the Eastern Region.

In an interactive session with Rajiva Sinha, Chairman, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (WBIDC), Mr. Shah discussed the issue of placing a Common Facility Centre (CFC) and Custom Clearance Wing at Ankurhati Gem & Jewellery Park to extend support to small-scale artisans / karigars. In response, Shah informed that a feasibility study would aid in identifying the requirements of stakeholders.

Shah also addressed the 3rd ICC Gems & Jewellery Summit 2021 organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), where he touched upon various Council initiatives for boosting exports.

GJEPC’s Eastern Regional Office, too, organised an Exporters Meet with Colin Shah and raised various issues with regard to exports such as the non-availability of duty-free gold, cancellation of imports bonds at Kolkata Port, and payment of IGST, etc.

Mr. Shah requested the members to submit the detailed proposal to the Regional Office for further review. Summing up the programme, Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, informed that any region-specific issues of exporters will be looked into and appropriate actions will be initiated.