Sri Lanka Sees Over 20pct Growth in Gem, Diamond & Jewelry Sector during First Half of 2010

14th December 2010, lankapuvath.lk

The Gem, Diamond and Jewellery Sector has recorded an overall growth of 20.6% during the first half of 2010 earning a revenue of US.$ 197.06 Million, compared to U.S.$ 163.4 Million earned during the same period last year.

With the Gems and Jewellery market getting saturated with imitation and artificial gem stones and the demand for authenticated natural gem stones getting increased the Gem and Jewellery Authority has made arrangements with the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association to establish a separate entity, Lanka Gemological Laboratory (Pvt) Ltd., with the capacity to issue internationally recognized testing reports.

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has also taken steps to train and develop a resource base of Gemologists, providing opportunities to those who excel at the Certificate Course conducted by the University of Moratuwa to receive further training at the NGJA laboratory with a view to introduce them as gemologists and entrepreneurs to the industry.

The Authority has also taken steps to upgrade the skills of the gem miners, organise skills development workshops, establish Gem Industry support service units, conduct environment protection programmes in gem mining areas and activate a legally enforceable process in Jewellery products.

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