Gem trade to flourish in NE: GJPEC chairman

Aizawl, Oct 31: In abid to tap the potential of gem stones in the northeast region, Union Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), will be setting up various 'Lepidiary' (identifing the quality of gems) training Centres across the region.

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

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

Mr Pankaj also mentioned that the training programme would benefit the gems and jewellery industry across the country to get the right kind of gem.

''About 37 different variety of precious gem stones has been identified in these areas'', he underlined.

''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 set up training centres,'' he said adding ''a comprehensive blue-print of the project would be submitted to the Commerce Ministry for immediate funding''.

According to Mr Pankaj, GJEPC has already started one such training programmes for about 20 studens to tackle the illegal miners in Orissa.

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

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

UNI