1] With the visit of the Chinese jewellery delegation to key regions like Antwerp, India and Israel in the recent past, do you think China will overtake India in the cut and polish segment? Does size of the Diamond really matter when it comes to “better technology combined with cheap Labor”?

China has been a silent worker. At our last visit to the sapphire mining and pearl farming districts in china we found that the Chinese government had built spaces of over 8 lac sq. ft. for gems and jewellery industry - and we see that china had built this 3 years ahead.
Their diamond polishing facilities also are world class and simple to do business in. Yes, India needs to wake up to this "threat of early action". However we are happy that the cabinet secretary has passed the papers to allocate the Indian gem and jewellery portfolio officially to the ministry of commerce for the first time since independence. We are also lobbying with the government to ultimately establish a ministry for g and j in India.

2] If China can build a cut and polish industry for its own consumption [poised to become the largest jewellery consumer] why can’t it become the worlds biggest cutting and polishing center for Diamonds?

Yes, possible plus we need to transcend to look way into the future.

3] If Indian manufacturers set foot on Chinese shores in the cut and polish segment, will there be an unemployment crisis in the Indian industry?

No. Market expansion will take place. India being the world's hub for g and j is high. We need higher manufacturing in India and overseas. If we and the central governments work together well (we see signs of that already) we will be able to make India truly shine.

4] What is the Indian Diamond industry doing to sustain the leadership status in cut and polish segment or to counter Chinese growth in this segment and will we see cut and polished stones imported from China for Indian consumption?

India is better poised than china from the knowledge standpoint. So we need to take pro active steps. Now. This budget. This exim policy.

5] Any other comments to safeguard the Indian cut and polish industry.

Expand.

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