SGCCI Forms Diamond Task Force to Boost Surat’s Industry

Surat, Gujarat – The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has formed a Diamond Task Force with the intention of making the diamond and jewellery industry stronger and taking up the issues related to the industry with the state and the central governments. 

Dinesh Navadia, former regional chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was unanimously appointed as the chairman of the  Diamond Task Force on Friday.

Meanwhile, in the first meeting of the Diamond Task Force, besides the office bearers of the SGCCI, the presidents, chairmen and representatives of the Indian Diamond Institute, Surat Diamond Association, Lab Grown Diamond Association, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association, Surat Diamond Bourse, Surat Diamond Brokers Association, Surat Diamond Traders Association, India Bullion and Jewellers Association, Varachha-Katargam Jewellers Association (Surat Jewellers Association) and Surat Jewellery Association were present. In this meeting, discussions were held on how Surat’s diamond and jewellery industry can be made stronger in the world and what kind of activities can be carried out by the Diamond Task Force at the Chamber for this.

President of SGCCI Nikhil Madrasi said that for the further development of the diamond and jewellery industry of Surat, the Diamond Task Force of the Chamber will mainly carry out activities like vendor development, foreign delegations and exhibitions and conclave. India Jewellery Show level shows will be organized. Along with this, two fashion shows and award shows will also be organized during the year. 10 to 12 joint programs will also be organized for the diamond and jewellery industry.

He further said that the Diamond Task Force has been formed by the Chamber of Commerce keeping in mind important issues like all-round development of the diamond and jewellery industry of Surat, technology upgradation, import-export facilities, expansion of new markets and increasing international demand.

SGCCI vice-president  Ashok Jirawala said that through the Diamond Task Force, buyer-seller meetings will be organized at the global level and road shows will also be held for the same. The Diamond Task Force will give new heights to the diamond and jewellery industry of Surat not only at the national but also at the international level and will establish Surat as a real ‘Global Hub of Diamonds and Jewellery’.

Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute and the Diamond Task Force of the SGCCI presented various suggestions to take the diamond and jewellery industry of Surat to the global level. He said that through the Diamond Task Force, new branding and marketing strategies will be created to create more demand for the diamond industry of Surat in the domestic and foreign markets. Along with this, guidance and support will also be provided for skill development, innovation and smart manufacturing.

Pintui Dholakia of Shri Harekrishna Diamond  said that through the Diamond Task Force, a delegation of diamond industrialists can be taken to important mining locations in the world. Talking about skill development, he said that considering new technical processing methods, youth can be trained at various levels like diamond cutting-polishing, designing, gemology and finishing. It is necessary to make efforts towards making the diamond and jewellery industry stronger by organizing short-term courses and workshops.

Jagdish Khunt, President of Surat Diamond Association (SDA)  said that efforts can be made towards increasing the demand for diamonds at the global level through the Diamond Task Force of the SGCCI.

Babubhai Vaghani, President of Lab Grown Diamond Association, said that Surat produces the best in the jewellery sector. The wastage at the global level is around 7 to 8 percent. This wastage is very less in Surat, hence Surat’s lab grown diamond-studded strategy can be promoted worldwide.

As a consultant, Nirav Jogani said that through the Diamond Task Force, the brand Surat can be promoted at the global level. Along with this, effective presentations can be made to the government on various issues such as simplification of import-export policy, technical difficulties related to GST, grants for skill development, infrastructure support, technology upgradation and incentives for new markets to make the diamond and jewellery industry competitive at the global level.