Gem and Jewellery sector has direct impact on job creation: Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that unlike other sectors, Gem and Jewellery sector has direct impact on job creation.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Indian Institute of Gem and Jewellery (IIGJ )Varanasi Extension Campus here, she said this is one sector which has different sub sectors by which gem and jewellery industry provides maximum jobs to people who come from rural areas and also with non gem and jewellery background through proper training.

Sitharaman added that this holy city has longest history of human civilization. A city of this stature has shown ages ago that it has craftsmanship. She said GJEPC has come here to see that the talent which has been cultivated here for years is not lost and it is our responsibility to not only identify and support but ensure that the process is handed over to the next generation.

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is taking a big step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one of the dream project 'Skill India' by setting up the first-of-its-kind Indian Institute of Gem and Jewellery (IIGJ) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Varanasi is the fifth centre in the country after Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata to have an IIGJ campus.

Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said that GJEPC - the apex gem and jewellery body in India - has always strived to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for putting India on the trajectory of growth through numerous initiatives, one such being 'Skill India'.

India's Gem and Jewellery Industry has over the years grown from a mere US$ 28 Million in 1966-67 to US$38 Billion in 2015-16. It is noteworthy that this industry provides employment to around three million people across India.