The Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) has opened in the central state of Maharashtra. The training and qualification centre in Ratnagiri will prepare professionals in the jewellery field.
According to a statement from the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), “The opening of IIGJ Ratnagiri marks a significant step forward in the mission of GJEPC to provide comprehensive education and skill development, ensuring that Maharashtra remains at the forefront of the Indian gems and jewellery industry.”
According to Industries Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Uday Samant, ““The gem and jewellery industry is far more than just luxury and aesthetics; it is a crucial economic engine that significantly contributes to a country’s economy”. The Minister expressed confidence that the institute would emerge as a major hub for training professionals in the gems and jewellery industry in the coming years. The institute expects to initially train 350 students annually in specialized courses in jewellery design and manufacturing.
Maharashtra plays a key role in the Indian jewellery sector, contributing 70% of India’s total gem and jewellery exports worth $32 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. With free trade agreements in place with several countries, the sector is set to grow and prosper, the Indian government is confident.
According to a study by NCAER, India has 390 gem and jewellery clusters, with Maharashtra leading the way with 29 clusters employing around 500,000 people. India is currently working to further develop these clusters as export-oriented hubs. Moreover, plans to expand the jewellery retail chain by 3,000 units in the next three years “will create a huge demand for skilled manpower,” according to the GJEPC. GJEPC also aims to improve manufacturing and create over 200,000 new jobs in Maharashtra alone. “With the budget for 2024-25 setting a target to train 20 million youth in the next five years, GJEPC aims to facilitate the industry through training and cutting-edge technology,” the statement said. “This will not only help us ensure sustainable growth of the industry but also achieve the export target of $75 billion by 2030.”
This new centre will be another link in the network of existing IIGJ facilities managed by GJEPC in Mumbai, Jaipur and Delhi, which are considered leaders in jewellery education in India. The council has also set up additional training centres in Varanasi and Udupi. Another such centre will soon be set up in Guwahati. A memorandum to this effect has already been signed.
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
