North East to Launch First Gems and Jewellery Development Centre in Guwahati

Guwahati is set to establish the first support and development center for the gems and jewellery sector in the North East, under the PM Vishwakarma initiative. The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) signed an MoU with the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to open the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) in Guwahati.

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2023, covers 18 trades and offers comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople. Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, announced that training will begin within a week, focusing on foundational skills and digital marketing.

The collaboration aims to provide specialized training and business development assistance to local artisans. Biswas shared that artisans will have access to loans from local banks, starting with one lakh rupees at a subsidized interest rate of five percent, with additional funding available upon meeting certain requirements.

This MoU will help artisans and goldsmiths at Level 3 of the PM Vishwakarma program by offering upskilling opportunities. It also marks IIGJ's first expansion into the Northeast, joining its campuses in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udupi, and Varanasi.

The training will prepare artisans to meet global demand and explore export opportunities. Customized programs will be developed to meet the unique needs of the local market, while qualified trainers will be recruited to ensure high-quality education.