Sunil Barthwal, the Commerce Secretary of the Department of Commerce, embarked on a visit to the IIJS Premiere on August 6th, hosted at the JWCC and NESCO venues. During the visit, Barthwal engaged in productive discussions with international delegations representing various countries, along with the Committee of Administration (CoA) of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
The primary objective of the Commerce Secretary’s interaction was to address trade-related challenges, foster collaborative ventures, and facilitate the expansion of exports. Over 150 international delegates participating in IIJS Premiere 2023 were present during these interactions, representing nations such as Turkey, Iran, Nigeria, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting with the GJEPC’s CoA took place over lunch and delved into various key topics, including the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS), Duty Drawback, Duty Rationalisation with neighboring countries, Skill Development, Lab-grown Diamonds, and Trade Shows.
Speaking exclusively at the event, Barthwal lauded IIJS Premiere as a prominent global platform for the gems and jewelry sector. Acknowledging its significance as a labor-intensive industry fostering creativity and youth engagement, he emphasized the Indian government’s commitment to supporting the entire value chain of the gems and jewelry sector, spanning from mining to final retail.
Particularly, Barthwal expressed the government’s strategic focus on developing the studded diamond jewelry segment, which occupies a high-value niche within the industry.
Barthwal conveyed his pride in India’s role as a value addition hub within the global gems and jewelry landscape. He underscored that Indian policies cater to a diverse spectrum of industry constituents, from diamond cutting and polishing to bullion trading, jewelry design, manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing. Barthwal’s vision is to position India as a hub for training and education, enhancing consumer awareness and industry expertise across the entire value chain.
The Commerce Secretary’s engagement at IIJS Premiere serves as a testament to the government’s dedication to nurturing the growth and vitality of the gems and jewelry sector, underscoring its multifaceted contributions to the economy, creativity, and employment.
