Wed Sep 25 04:37:58 UTC 2024: ## Northeast India to Get Skill Development Boost for Gems & Jewellery Sector

**Guwahati, India:** The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDCL) and the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) have joined forces to empower artisans and entrepreneurs in the Northeast’s gems and jewellery sector. This collaboration, announced on Monday at the NEHHDC campus in Guwahati, will bring the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) to the region, aligning with the PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative.

The new IIGJ campus in Guwahati will provide crucial training and educational opportunities, equipping local artisans with the skills needed to succeed in the competitive global marketplace. The partnership aims to address the challenges faced by Northeast artisans, such as limited market access, technological gaps, and financial constraints, by offering specialized training programs and business development support.

“This collaboration will be a game-changer for the gems and jewellery sector in the Northeast,” stated Sriparna B. Baruah, advisor to NEHHDC. “We will be able to bridge the skill gap, create new opportunities, and ultimately, contribute to the economic growth of the region.”

Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting the initiative’s potential to cultivate a skilled workforce and boost the jewellery sector’s growth in the region. “This center will be a vital resource for artisans, entrepreneurs, and aspiring jewellery professionals in the Northeast,” Biswas stated.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key officials from both organizations, including GJEPC’s COO Siddharth Himmatsinghka, Regional Director Kaushik Ghosh, and IIGJ’s Head of Udupi Koushik SV. Representatives from MSME-DFO Guwahati, NSIC, the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), and various local entrepreneurs and artisans were also present.

This strategic partnership promises significant growth opportunities for the Northeast’s jewellery sector, while simultaneously preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Read More