Indian Delegation Seeks Deeper Ties With Namibia
June 22, 04
A delegation from India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is wrapping up a two-day visit to Namibia today (Tuesday) following talks with senior officials and business leaders on cooperation in the fields of diamonds and other gemstones.
The Indian delegation met representatives from the government, Namdeb, the Development Bank of Namibia, the Chamber of Mines and members of the local business community.
Mission head and GJEPC vice chairman Bakul Mehta said India was looking for direct sourcing of rough diamonds from Namibia, along with joint ventures in mining, cutting and polishing, colored gemstones and jewelry manufacturing.
Mehta said India was seeking opportunities to train craftspeople and looking for students for projects and institutions run by the GJEPC.
In addition, it is offering technical assistance and is interested in the exchange of trade information with its Namibian counterpart, student exchange programs, the exchange of diamond and jewelry delegations and encouraging a Namibian delegation to visit the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS).
India, which exported $12 billion of diamonds and jewelry in the year ending in March, has set itself a target of achieving $16 billion of exports by 2007.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, organizers of the IIJS said they are expecting a record turnout for this year’s show, which runs from July 15-19.
So far, 580 exhibitors have registered, including 61 foreign firms.