Udupi: The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), Mumbai, under the Union ministry of commerce is setting up Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) at Udupi. After Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Varanasi, the coastal city will get the fifth IIGJ of the country and first in south India. The new facility at Udupi aims to enhance artisans’ skills.
Explaining why the centre is being established in south India, Sanjoy Ghosh, head, IIGJ, told that this part of the country has been one of the major jewellery markets. However, there are not many skilled artisans in this trade and that’s why the centre is being set up at Udupi.
In the initial stage, IIGJ will start functioning in a 4,000 to 5,000 square feet site and expand it depending on demand. The centre will have three stages of training; office, supervisor and managerial level. In the beginning, the Udupi facility will have only the first level of training.
