Shri Uday Samant, Hon’ble Minister for Industries, Government of Maharashtra, inaugurated the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), training and skilling center in Ratnagiri on September 24th in the presence of Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri M. Devender Singh, District Collector, Ratnagiri; Shri Kirthi Kiran Pujar, CEO, Zilla Parishad, Ratnagiri; Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC; Shri Siddhartha, COO, GJEPC; Shri Debasish Biswas, CEO
The establishment of the IIGJ Ratnagiri is a key step forward in GJEPC‘s objective to deliver comprehensive education and skill development, ensuring Maharashtra’s position at the forefront of India’s gem and jewellery industry.
Shri Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, stated, “The gem and jewellery industry is far more than just luxury and aesthetics; it is a critical economic engine that significantly contributes to a country’s economy.” I am grateful to the GJEPC for starting the training and skilling center in Ratnagiri. Although it began on a small scale, I believe it will grow into a big institute in the coming years. The youth of Ratnagiri and surrounding regions will play a critical part in the expansion of India’s gem and jewelry sector.”
Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman of GJEPC, stated, “The expansion and prosperity of the gem and jewelry sector will be significantly dependent on competent workforce. Institutes such as IIGJ Ratnagiri and other IIGJs across India will play an important role in preparing our youth to meet expanding demand and drive the industry’s future growth.”
“Maharashtra is a key player in India’s gem and jewellery sector, accounting for 70% of total gem and jewellery exports of USD 32 billion in FY 2023-24. With initiatives such as the India-UAE CEPA and other free trade agreements, the industry will continue to grow in the future years.”
According to the NCAER report, India has a total of 390 gem and jewellery clusters, with Maharashtra leading the way with 29 clusters employing approximately 5 lakh people. Efforts are being undertaken to transform these clusters into export-oriented hubs.
“Domestically, the rapid expansion of over 3,000 jewellery retail stores across India in the next three years will create a tremendous demand for skilled talent.”
“Additionally, GJEPC is striving to enhance manufacturing through key initiatives such as the India Jewellery Park in Mumbai, and the already established Mega Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Mumbai with well trained and skilled workers and designers.”
“With these initiatives, GJEPC aims to generate around 2 lakh jobs in Maharashtra alone, empowering the local workforce and driving sustained growth in the jewellery industry.”
Speaking further about the Council’s commitment to India’s skilling agenda, Kirit Bhansali stated, “With the 2024-25 budget setting a target to skill 20 lakh youths over the next five years, GJEPC remains aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Shri Narendra Modi‘s Skill India mission, by facilitating the industry with training and advanced technology. IIGJ Jaipur and IIGJ Udupi have started goldsmith training under the PM Vishwakarma initiative. This will not only help to ensure the industry’s long-term prosperity, but will also help us meet our export objective of USD 75 billion by 2030.
“Ratnagiri’s new IIGJ centre will contribute significantly towards this goal, training 350 students annually with specialised courses in jewellery design and manufacturing.”
The IIGJ Ratnagiri will provide a wide range of courses, including metal setting, CAD (computer-aided design) for jewellery, filling and polishing, and casting machine operation, to ensure that students have modern, industry-relevant skills.
This new centre expands GJEPC‘s network of current IIGJ facilities in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Delhi, all of which are at the forefront of jewellery education in India. The Council has also established satellite training institutes in Varanasi and Udupi.
Shri Bhansali also shared information on the GJEPC‘s initiatives to help traditional jewellery clusters in Maharashtra. Notably, GJEPC is supporting the Hupari Cluster in Kolhapur, which has Geographical Indication (GI) classification for its famed silver jewellery. The council is also helping the local organization create a Common Facility Centre (CFC).
On September 23, GJEPC and the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to construct the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) in Guwahati. This action is a key step toward supporting gem and jewelry artists and entrepreneurs in the North East region.