Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, visited the headquarters of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in Mumbai on 26 December. The visit included an in-depth interaction with GJEPC’s Committee of Administration and senior members of the gem and jewellery trade.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, along with Mr. Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman. Key participants included Mr. Anoop Mehta, Convener – Diamond Panel; Mr. Russell Mehta, Co-Convener – Diamond Panel; Mr. K.S. Srinivasan, Convener – Gold Panel; Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener – PMBD; Mr. Mital Doshi, Convener – BITC; Mr. Mansukh Kothari, Convener – Events; Mr. Devansh Shah, Member – PMBD; and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, among other senior industry representatives.
Shri Tariq Thomas, Director, Department of Commerce, also participated in the discussions, which focused on India’s forthcoming leadership role in the Kimberley Process, progress on key Free Trade Agreement negotiations including the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), and policy initiatives aimed at further easing the ease of doing business for the gem and jewellery sector.
The interaction highlighted the government’s continued engagement with industry stakeholders to strengthen India’s global competitiveness, enhance trade facilitation, and support sustainable growth across the gem and jewellery value chain.