Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

About Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC):

• It is an apex body of the Gem and Jewellery industry in India, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
• Primary Function:
  • It is primarily involved in introducing Indian gem and jewellery products to the international market and promotes their exports.
  • To achieve this, the Council provides market information to its members regarding foreign trade inquiries, trade and tariff regulations, rates of import duties, and information about Jewellery fairs and exhibitions.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• It has regional offices across the country and with a strength of over 7,500 members.
• Other Functions:
  • Organising joint participation in international jewellery shows.
  • Inviting countries to explore areas of cooperation in the supply of rough diamonds, coloured gemstones and sourcing of finished jewellery.
  • Identifying potential partners and buyers in international markets through buyer-seller meets.
  • Executing the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme in the country, as the Nodal Agency appointed by the Government of India.
  • Taking up relevant export-related issues with the Government, Ministries, Regulatory Authorities and Agencies.
  • Undertaking image-building exercises through international advertisements, publications and audio-visuals
  • Running training institutes that impart manufacturing skills, technical and design excellence in six cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Surat, Jaipur, Varanasi and Udupi.
  • Setting up Jewellery Parks across the country.

What are Rough Diamonds?

• Rough Diamonds refer to diamonds which are still in their natural state after being removed from the belly of the earth.
• This is the stage before they are actually cut or polished in order to create the marvellousdiamonds found in all of our unique jewellery.

Key Facts about Kimberly Process (KP):

• KP is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds.
• The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict-free".
• KP defines conflict diamonds as: ‘rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments’ - around the world.
• The participants include all major rough diamond-producing, exporting and importing countries. The diamond industry, through the World Diamond Council, and civil society groups are also integral parts of the KP.