Proposal to step-up Lanka - Madagascar gem trade

Anjana SAMARASINGHE

GEM TRADE: The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assign a permanent diplomatic mission to Madagascar to facilitate the gem and jewellery trade between the two countries.

Senior Manager (Export and Export Promotion) of the (NGJA) Ajith Perera told the Daily News that Madagascar is one of the major raw material supplying countries for the local gem and jewellery industry. There are many local traders in Madagascar who are involved in the gem trade.

At the moment activities between Madagascar and Sri Lanka are coordinated by the Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission in South Africa separate diplomatic Mission for Madagascar will accelerate trade between the countries.

Facilitating the gem trade will enhance the supply base of the local gem and jewellery industry and the country could focus more on value addition he said.

The Authority also expects to send delegations to countries like Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar to explore more business opportunities in these countries, comprised of public and private sector representatives he said.

In these countries there are good job opportunities for professional gem miners and this delegation also will focus on this areas too. However NGJA has trained 2010 local miners on safe methods and mining techniques.

Main objective of this is to upgrade skills of local miners and develop it as a profession. NGJA also provides funds on training employees of local jewellery manufacturing companies on jewellery designing, stone settings and electro plating Perera said.

While the country has exceeded this years export target in November through gem and jewellery exports there is a sharp increase in the number of exporters enter the industry this year.

Last year there were 861 exporters in the country and this year it has increased to 924 Perera said.

Meanwhile Malaysia has invited Sri Lanka to establish a gem and jewellery exchange centre in Malaysia to supply local gem and jewellery to Malaysia. Local industrialists are keen on setting up the exchange centre in Malaysia he said.