Central Govt to promote Gems trade in NE region

Aizawl, Apr 30: With the aim to tap the rich Gem stones potential in the northeast region, Union Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) would be setting up various 'Lepidiary' (identifing the quality of gems) training Centres across the region.

Talking to UNI, the eastern region chairman of GJEPC, Pankaj Parek said this project aims to train the young entrepreneurs in the NE region to curtail the bad quality of gems coming, especially from the Myanmar region.

''The Union Ministry of Commerce has agreed to fund the training programme in NE region, which would be a part of their 'Look East' policy'', he added.

Mr Parek also mentioned that the training programme would benefit thousands of gems and jewellery industries across the country.

''There are about 37 different variety of precious gem stones that has been identified in these areas'', he stated.

''With the help of North Eastern Council (NEC), a group of GJEPC team would be conducting a study tour across NE next month ,especially in the Indo-Myanmar border region, to setup training centres'', he said adding ''a comprehensive blue-print on the project would be submitted to the Commerce Ministry for immediate funding''.

According to Mr Parek, GJEPC has already started one such training programme for about 20 students to tackle the illegal miners in Orissa.

''The training programme was inagurated by Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik last December'', he said adding ''we are getting huge response from the youngsters'', he said.

He also pointed out that GJEPC has decided to set up the second 'Lepidiary' training programme in Manikanchan park, the Jewellery jub, in Kolkata.

UNI