International News
The 2nd SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave
Conclave provided valuable insights in technology, branding, exports, SEZ policy
The Second SEZ Gem and Jewellery Conclave held at Bharatratnam Mega CFC in SEEPZ, Mumbai, brought together influential stakeholders from across the gem and jewellery sector to deliberate on industry growth, innovation, and policy advancements.The conclave provided valuable insights into the latest industry trends in technology, branding, exports.
The conclave was inaugurated by Dr P Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra. Present at the inauguration were Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, Saunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, Suvankar Sen, MD, Senco Gold & Diamonds, Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC, Colin Shah, Head of the Working Group, Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC and Adil Kotwal, Director – SEEPZ GJ Manufacturers Association.

Dr. P Anbalagan in his inaugural address said “The Union and state governments aim to grow India’s economy from USD 3 trillion to USD 30 trillion, requiring double-digit growth across sectors, with Maharashtra as a key driver. As the state with the highest FDI, Maharashtra targets a USD 1 trillion economy in 4-5 years, needing 13-14% annual growth. We are looking at the GJ sector as generator of employment and employment.The employment intensive GJ sector will be cornerstone of Maharashtra becoming a $1 trillion economy.The GJ sector in Maharashtra is contributing 47 per cent of India’s GJ exports.”
Track 1 – Technology included: Platinum Group Metal Recycling , Dr Debashish Bhattacharya, Technical Director of Covalence, India, Casting, Stamping and Tubing in Platinum, Dr. Peter Hofmann, Chairman of INDUTHERM, Germany and Rakesh Jangid, Technical Director, Lagor India, 3D Printing of Precious Metal for Commercial Use-Dr Andrea Friso, R&D Head, Legor Italy ,Technology in Diamond Testing, Jayant Kulkarni , Partner ,SGL, Challenges in Identification of Lab Grown Diamonds by Deepa Srinivasa, Chief Gemmologist – Research & Development – GSI, India
Track 2 – Branding included: Redefining Businesses by Sachin Jain, Educator, LÉCOLE School of Jewellery Arts , Dubai, Revitalizing Diamond Desire by Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, De Beers.
Track 3 – Investments included: Booster to G&J Manufacturing by Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC ,Draft Report of Common SoP for SEZs by Nishant, Partner, ELP.
With key decision-makers in attendance, the conclave promises to be an influential platform for shaping the future of the sector.
DiamondBuzz
Diamond Slump forces Debswana to diversify into copper, platinum and solar
Diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios
Debswana Diamond Company, the 50–50 joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers, is moving to diversify into copper, platinum and renewable energy as the prolonged downturn in natural diamond demand pressures earnings and forces the industry to rethink its growth strategy.
The company’s board has approved plans to invest in a portfolio of non-diamond projects after revenue fell 46% in 2024, the latest available financial year, highlighting the scale of the downturn in the global diamond market.

The move signals a strategic shift toward commodities with stronger long-term demand fundamentals, particularly copper, which is central to global electrification and energy-transition infrastructure.
Debswana’s diversification reflects a broader industry pivot as diamond producers confront weak consumer demand, rising competition from lab-grown stones and elevated inventories across the supply chain.
The shift is also visible among smaller exploration companies. Botswana Diamonds recently rebranded as Botswana Minerals, signalling its own strategic focus on copper exploration rather than diamonds.
Together, these moves underscore a growing consensus across the sector: the era of diamond-centric mining models is giving way to broader resource portfolios anchored in energy-transition metals.
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