September 23, 2024: In a significant move for the jewellery sector in the North East, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) and the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) formalized their partnership today through a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) at the NEHHDC campus in Bamunimaidan. This collaboration aims to advance the PM Vishwakarma (Goldsmith) initiative, focusing on empowering local artisans and entrepreneurs.

Through this agreement, IIGJ will provide its expertise to implement specialized training and business development support for jewellery artisans in the region. This initiative is poised to enhance skill development and create new economic opportunities, promoting a vibrant jewellery sector that honors the North East’s rich cultural heritage.

The MoU exchange includes discussions with several local entrepreneurs and artisans, who shared their challenges and explored solutions to uplift the jewellery industry. Dr. Sriparna B. Baruah, Advisor at NEHHDC, emphasized the importance of this partnership in facilitating skill enhancement and fostering empowerment among artisans.

Shri Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, expressed enthusiasm about establishing a centre in the North East to offer industry-relevant training and support for aspiring jewellery professionals, local industry associations, and trade bodies.

The event was attended by notable figures, including Shri Kaushik Ghosh, Regional Director of GJEPC Eastern Region, and Shri Siddharth Himmatsinghka, COO of GJEPC, among others. Key representatives from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship were also present, highlighting the collaborative nature of this initiative.

This MoU marks a crucial step toward not only enhancing the North East jewellery sector but also preserving and promoting its unique cultural identity.