New Delhi, DHNS: Institute will train, enhance skills of design students. As part of the government’s efforts to enhance the product quality of Indian jewellery and expand its scope in the domestic and international market, the Centre on Thursday decided to establish Gold Crafts & Design Institute at Udupi.

Union Minister for Commerce Nirmala Sitharaman, who chaired the meeting of Gems & Jewellery Promotion Council (GJEPC) here, decided to set up the institution under the “Design in India” vision of the government.

The institution, which will be promoted by GJEPC, will focus on giving training and enhancing skills of students in advanced design and crafts in the gem and jewellery sector in the country. Besides, the institution will also train freelance artisans, who work in gem and jewellery sector, the minister said.

The institution will be set up on the lines of Footwear Design and Development Institution (FDDI) of leather sector and it will help to revive the manufacturing sector in the coastal Karnataka. This will facilitate a network between the Indian jewellery industry’s supply and demand with its global counterparts, she said.

The GJEPC, which is holding talks with Udupi Jewellers’ Association, is working on setting up the training facility, finalising the managing partners, financial partners and trade partners for the projects.

The GJEPC already runs several institutions on gems and jewellery in different places in the country. It has been very active in providing a conducive environment by creating world class infrastructure, thus attracting the youths to prefer the industry as a career option, Nirmala said.

The Indian gem and jewellery industry is the preferred sourcing destination of gem and jewellery for the global markets as the country exported $ 39 billion in 2015-16.