Indian jewel makers to get global training

Mumbai: One of the first initiatives following US President Barack Obama’s visit to India is the setting up of “shared manufacturing hubs” in India that will have skill development centres for small gem and jewellery workers with the technicians training and guiding them  to improve their skills.

They will be set up by the FICCI’s Gems & Jewellery, Luxury, Lifestyle Forum and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACOC) who have announced a strategic alliance to promote the setting up of regional jewelry manufacturing hubs. 

Mehul Choksi, chairman of FICCI’s Gems & Jewellery, Luxury and Lifestyle Forum said large US retailers will work with Indian manufacturers to identify, invest and support the development of large ‘shared’ jewellery manufacturing hubs. “The best technology will be scoured from across the world. The Italians are the best in the area of manufa-cturing and retailing fashion products and with the the slowdown in the Euro-pean markets, their machi-nery is now available at very competitive prices,” he said.

Pointing out that the American G&J industry too wants to be a part of the Make in India movement, Ranjana Khanna, secretary general of the IACC said while India has the largest work-pool of highly skilled artisans, the finish quality is still a challenge, as is the availability of new technologies and machinery.

“The technologies at the manufacturing hub will be made available to karigars and MSME on rental basis too,” Mr Choski said.