The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) to establish the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) in Guwahati. This collaborative effort aims to empower jewellery artisans and entrepreneurs in North East India by providing them with specialized training and business development support.

The partnership aligns with the government’s PM Vishwakarma initiative, focusing on enhancing skills and promoting the gem and jewellery industry in the region. At the MoU exchange ceremony, Debasish Biswas, CEO of IIGJ, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting its potential to significantly benefit the local jewellery sector and cultivate a new generation of innovative jewellers. The event was attended by notable figures, including Siddharth Himmatsinghka, COO of GJEPC, and regional director Kaushik Ghosh, among others.

In addition to this initiative, the NEHHDC recently participated in the State Handloom Expo held in Sikkim, showcasing a diverse range of locally made products from various states including Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, and Jammu and Kashmir. The expo featured 66 stalls, promoting the rich craftsmanship and textiles of the region.

Furthermore, to enhance business opportunities for local artisans, the NEHHDC has partnered with the Government E-Marketplace, signing another MoU to facilitate access to the business-to-government domain for Assam's artisans and weavers. Established under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the NEHHDC is dedicated to promoting local indigenous crafts and supporting the economic development of the North East.