Diamond Sector to Gain an Advantage From India's Foreign Trade Policy
The Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), representing one of the significant trade sectors in India, added that the policy provides the impetus to boost exports and offers a critical regulatory framework for the proposed Special Notified Zone (SNZ). The SNZ will have a taxation regime that encourages global mining companies to sell rough diamonds directly in India and once it is operating, mining companies may bring rough diamonds, on a consignment basis, to display and sell to local buyers.
According to the GJEPC, these initiatives will provide India's diamond industry with a strong competitive advantage against other diamond trading centers, while ensuring a steady supply of rough diamonds.
There is a large segment of India's gem and jewelry sector that is MSME, or micro-, small and medium enterprises, many of whom are experiencing financial constraints and tight liquidity. The GJEPC explained that there is already a long period of time before MSMEs can record value from their foreign trade transactions, so export credit plays a significant role in facilitating business. As part of the new trade policy, there is a program for providing interest subvention on identified sectors for a period of three years and budget allocation was made available for the 2015/2016 fiscal year.
The council is the Nodal Agency for the gem sector and approves laboratories for the certification, grading and re-importing of cut and polished diamonds. So far, the agencies that have been permitted to certify and grade diamonds without import duty to re-export include the Indian Diamond Institute Surat and the International Institute of Diamond and Grading and Research India Pvt. Ltd. Surat.
On a separate note, with the Union Cabinet approving the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which budgeted $193 million (Rs.1,500 crore) for youth skills training, the Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) plans to train youth -- and especially those with physical or mental disabilities -- in diamond polishing and sorting.
The GJSCI has arranged a meeting with diamond manufacturers in the SEEPZ on April 20 to share its vision and aligns with the terms of Recognition to Prior Learning (RPL).
The GJSCI has arranged a meeting with diamond manufacturers in the SEEPZ on April 20 to share its vision and aligns with the terms of Recognition to Prior Learning (RPL).
Courtesy: Diamond.Net
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