Guwahati: North East region will get its first-ever support and development center for the gems and jewellery sector in Guwahati under the recently launched PM Vishwakarma initiative.
On Monday, September 23, 2024, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) exchanged an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to launch the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ), Guwahati campus, which will offer PM Vishwakarma programs.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2023. Covering 18 trades, the scheme is aimed at providing end-to-end assistance to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.
Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, shared during an interview with Business North East, stating, "The first training program is set to commence within a week, covering foundational skills and introducing digital marketing strategies."
Through this collaboration, IIGJ will leverage its expertise to provide specialized training and business development support for artisans and entrepreneurs in the region. "This initiative will also facilitate guidance on accessing loans from local banks, helping artisans secure funding for their ventures. Initial funding of one lakh is available at a subsidized interest rate of five percent, with an additional two lakhs available upon meeting basic requirements," shared Biswas.
Biswas mentioned, though this MoU, the program will benefit local artisans and goldsmiths certified at Level 3 of the PM Vishwakarma program, the one-week will be focused upskilling training, that will enhance productivity and support individual business ventures.
"This initiative marks the first expansion of IIGJ into the Northeast, with Guwahati as the starting point," added CEO Biswas.
IIGJ currently operates five campuses across India located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udupi, and Varanasi and is launching its sixth entity in Guwahati.
The partnership aims to offer short-term programs covering various aspects of gems and jewellery manufacturing and design, catering to the local market's unique needs. This will prepare local artisans to meet global demand and explore export opportunities, Biswas shared with Business North East.
The training program, part of the PM Vishwakarma initiative, aims to meet the growing demand from artisans and students interested in pursuing long-term careers in the gems and jewellery sector. Biswas noted that many local students currently travel to IIGJ campuses in major cities for training, but the new partnership will facilitate local access to specialized education.
"Plans are underway to introduce short-term courses as Biswas mentioned, he told Business North East that, it is covering various aspects of jewellery manufacturing and design, enabling local artisans to tap into global markets and export opportunities."
Further, in response to inquiries about specialized offerings, Biswas stated that the programs will be customized to meet the unique needs of the local market, which features distinct design segments not readily available elsewhere. Qualified trainers and faculty members will be recruited to ensure effective program delivery, addressing the previous trend of Northeast artisans and students seeking training in other states, Biswas added.
The initiative is set to kick off within a week, with the first program designed by the Government of India focusing on foundational skills and advanced manufacturing techniques.
The curriculum will also cover essential topics such as digital marketing and financial management, guiding artisans on securing loans from local banks to fund their business expansion. Initial funding support will provide artisans with one lakh rupees, Biswas stated during the interview.
"With potential access to an additional two lakhs based on performance, all offered at a subsidized interest rate of five percent, Biswas added.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
