The West Bengal government today stressed on tying up with an Italian firm for high-end computer-based designing facilities for the state's gems and jewellery sector.
"The gems and jewellery park at Ankurhati, Howrah has manufacturers, skill development facility and common facility for development of this important sector. But, now you must try to have a tie-up with an Italian company or institute for high-end designing facility which will help to take this industry to next level," state Finance Minister Amit Mitra said at the B2B Gems and Jewellery Fair here.
He said the first building of 1.25 lakh sq feet has already been booked by 32 companies and now the booking for second phase of equal size had been opened.
"The Ankurhati park will give a boost to the trade which is located at the heart of traditional gold and jewellery artisans. The units will be handed over by March 2016," president, Calcutta Gems & Jewellery Welfare Association A K Bengani said.
The project, spearheaded by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, will be developed on a 7-acre plot and include both domestic and export-oriented units.
MITRE also advised the industry that it should take steps to have an entrepreneurship centre to attract people to this business.
Bengani said two skill development facilities are being developed for artisans in jewellery sector, one at Ankurhati park with the Gems and Jewellery Council of India and the other in the city in association with Assocham.
The fair organised by international event management company UBM group has attracted about 250 exhibitors.
