Two-day conference on gems and jewellery begins in Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 26 (UNI) Amid the presence of national and international delegates, buoyancy in the gems and jewellery sector was reflected at the first day of the second two-day International Diamond Conference 'Mines to Markets 2007', here today.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh inaugurated the conference organised by the Gem&Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh and Mr Sanjay Kothari, GJEPC Chairman were present on the occasion.

In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said ''The state of Maharashtra is passing through massive industrial revolution. Mumbai is becoming International Financial Centre, Pune is emerging as second Detroit of India, besides 72 SEZs have been proposed in the state.'' ''Maharashtra is the leader in Gem&Jewellery&the industry exports half of the total quantity from the state. The state will create another SEEPZ and encourage entrepreneurs all over the world to invest more into the state. The problems of the industry will be addressed very soon which included state and city taxes, problems faced by the Bharat Diamond Bourse, amongst others,'' Deshmukh added.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jairam Ramesh said ''India is looking forward towards partnership with the African Nations and secure a steady supply of rough diamonds and in return offer those nations knowledge&training for the cutting and polishing of Diamonds.'' Later in the afternoon, in an interaction with the media, Mr Ramesh said a delegation along with the GJEPC would visit South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Namibia in the first week of June to secure rough diamonds for the diamond industry.

He said he had held discussions with the heads of the various diamond mining companies and they had shown positive response to the initiatives undertaken by the GJEPC and the Union Government.

The inauguration was followed by the various sessions covering topics such as 'Rough diamond producers' strategy for the immediate future', 'Dilemmas before the manufacturing sector' and 'Towards a more responsible Diamond Industry' addressed by stalwarts of the industry including Sergey Vybornov - President of Alrosa; Dr Manuel Arnaldo Calado - Chairman of the administrative council of Endiama; Steve Hodgson - Managing Director, Rio Tinto Diamond NV; Martin Rapaport - President Rapaport Group; Shmeul, Schnitzer - Hon Life President, WFDB amongst others.

UNI