The Largest Association of Gem Dealers in Sri Lanka, the Chinafort Gem and Jewellery Traders Association welcomes the Government’s initiatives to promote Ease of Doing Business measures in the Gem and Jewellery industry through the Budget 2022 presented by the Finance Minister Basil Rajapakse this month.
In this respect, CGJTA also welcomes the recent decision by the State Minister for Gem and Jewellery and related activities Hon. Lohan Ratwatte to set up a one-stop fully-fledged office of the National Jewellery Authority and a training centre of the Gem and Jewellery Training Centre at the China Fort Gems Tower located at the world’s oldest open gem market, the Chinafort Pathe International Gem Market.
The Chinafort Gems Tower was ceremoniously declared open by the State Minister for Gem and Jewellery and related activities Lohan Ratwatte on the 13 th November 2021.
According to Liyakath Rasvi, Secretary to CGJTA the Chinafort Pathe International Gem Market is one of the most popular and vibrant open markets for gemstones in the world with buyers coming from many parts of the world – the Chinafort Gems Tower and one-stop centre by the NGJA are key steps in achieving the goals stated by Hon. Basil Rajapakse in his budget speech to position Sri Lanka as the hub for Gems and Jewellery.
The CGJTA has over 1,500 members from across the country including Beruwala, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Balangoda and Colombo. It also has the highest concentration of Gem Dealer Licence holders authorised by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and has the largest pool of exporters of all gemstones from Sri Lanka. The CGJTA membership is at the forefront of sourcing and value addition and re-export of Sapphires and other varieties of gemstones from Sri Lanka as well as Africa.
Marjan Faleel who is the Chairman of CGJTA and also a Member of Parliament extends heartfelt gratitude of the entire
industry to the Finance Minister Basil Rajapakse, State Minister for Gem and Jewellery Related industries Lohan Ratwatte, the Secretary to the State Ministry for Gem and Jewellery Related industries S.M. Piyatissa, The Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Tilak Weerasinghe and the Gem and Jewellery Training Institute in this respect.
Faleel further assured that the Gems and Jewellery will continue to be a major contributor of foreign exchange earnings and highly skilled employment opportunities to the country.