Govt. expects 20% export growth in gem and jewellery sector

by Irangika Range

'Our target is to uplift the country's image as a major gem and jewellery hub in the world by encouraging exporters through our policy planning to create new dimension in the industry. With the setting up Gem Export Centre in the Cargo Village, the government aims for a 20 per cent export growth in the industry this year, said Advanced Technology and Enterprise Development Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

The Minister was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Gem Export Center in Cargo Village of the Colombo International Airport last Friday. The Minister said that jewellery exports is a major player in the local export sector and all assistance would be provided to promote this sector.

"We should facilitate the exporters to grab the international market by improving their value addition and competitiveness. Therefore, the Ministry will take actions to promote the industry to enhance trading activities".

"In order to develop the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute has commenced its operation from April 1 at Ratnapura," he said. The Ministry has also planned to give duty free concessions for exporters to encourage them.

The local gem and jewellery sector is one of the highest foreign exchange earners to the country. However its' contribution can increase to boost the total export income in Sri Lanka. The Gem Export Center would be open every day and would provide a twenty-four hour service for exportation of gem and jewellery. "With the setting up of this center it would iron out all difficulties of gem and jewellery exporters.

Registered exporters and foreign buyers will be able to engage in export activities at this centre at any time of the day even public holidays, he said.

National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Ashoka Jayawardena said that this initiative would vastly improve the gem and jewellery exports. "The Authority received many requests to create a Centre of this nature," he said.

The center will provide facilities for jewellery valuation, appraisal activities and provide many other services. "These services were earlier done in Colombo and it caused many problems for exporters," he said.