The leadership of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) welcomed Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), as well as Smt Prachi Saroop, Chief Commissioner of Customs, and Shri Harish Dharnia, Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai, to the GJEPC office in Mumbai on December 7th. The meeting aimed to promote debate and address critical concerns confronting the gem and jewellery industry.
GJEPC was represented by Shri Vipul Shah, Chairman; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman; Shri Ajesh Mehta, Convener, Diamond Panel; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Convener, Banking, Insurance, and Taxation; Shri Milan Chokshi, Convener, PM&BD; and Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director.
During the discussions, GJEPC leadership raised numerous significant challenges affecting the industry and sought practical solutions to improve the ease of doing business.
The key subjects of discussion were:
- Facilitating the hand-carriage of gems and jewellery through all ports.
- Extending tolerance limits on cut and polished diamonds sent on consignment.
- Establishing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the reimport of jewellery for repair and subsequent re-export.
- RMS facility for G & J products for exports.
- Difficulty faced with exports of Lab-Grown CPD Diamond.
The discussion emphasized the importance of industry-customs collaboration in creating a more conducive business environment. Shri Agarwal and his team informed the GJEPC leadership that they are committed to addressing these concerns and developing viable solutions.