India marks a significant advancement in its gems and jewellery industry with the inauguration of the Bharat Ratnam Mega Common Facility Centre (CFC) at SEEPZ Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mumbai. This establishment, heralded as the first of its kind in the nation, promises to catalyse innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement within the sector.
Inauguration and Support
The Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC was inaugurated on 12th January 2024, with a virtual ceremony led by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The centre enjoys robust backing from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is managed by the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), with active support from SEEPZ SEZ. Distinguished officials, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon. Union Minister, and representatives from GJEPC and SEEPZ, were present at the launch, underlining the project’s significance.
Aim and Facilities
The Mega CFC’s primary goal is to bolster the design and manufacturing capabilities of India’s gem and jewellery industry. It aims to do so by enhancing quality, productivity, skill levels, domestic research and development (R&D), technological advancement, and cost competitiveness.
Shri Goyal addressed, “The Bharat Ratnam-Mega CFC heralds a new era of Make in India and Design in India. It has emerged as a real gem of India and is yet another shining example of public and private partnership. Completed in a remarkable 14 months, it stands as a beacon of excellence with its world-class facilities, setting a benchmark for the future of India. The highly impressive training and skilling centre will train around 1600 youngsters who will join the workforce each year. All these initiatives will help create a high-quality jewelry made in India brand that the world will aspire, desire and look up to. Bharat Ratnam symbolizes the Government’s commitment to driving innovation, economic growth, and technological progress.”
Mr. Vipul Shah, chairman of GJEPC, states, “As we inaugurate Bharat Ratnam–Mega CFC, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Shri Piyush Goyal for spearheading this ground breaking project. His relentless dedication and visionary leadership have been instrumental in bringing this transformative initiative to fruition. It is a game changer for our industry and it will propel us towards our goal of achieving $75 billion in exports and realizing our vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
Zonal Development Commissioner of SEEPZ-SEZ Shri Rajesh Kumar Mishra IRS addresses, “The Bharat Ratnam – Mega CFC is proud to house some world-class machines that are not available elsewhere in India. These inclusive measures, aimed at strengthening MSMEs to enhance their export capacity, supported by the training centre, will leave a lasting legacy for the gem and jewelry industry. The Mega CFC model will be replicated across India. With our focus on MSME, Mga CFC will leverage technology enablers and technically skilled manpower including especially abled for the implementation.”
Kirit Bhansali, vice chairman, GJEPC remarks, “The Mega CFC with its world-class infrastructure will promote the inherent skills of the gems & jewelry manufacturing industry. MSMEs in the industry will be greatly benefited from this facility. It will transform the landscape of the industry by democratizing access to cutting-edge technology. This will empower every karigar and artisans to engage in jewelry manufacturing at the highest level.”
Mr. Colin Shah, Head – Working Group, Bharat Ratnam – Mega CFC, praised the Hon’ble Shri Piyush Goyal, for supporting this epic project. “The distinctive feature of the Bharat Ratnam is in its groundbreaking concept of democratizing access to cutting-edge technology for small, medium and large entrepreneurs across global and domestic jewelry manufacturing sectors. With the backing from the Commerce, Industry, and the Government of India, this 360-degree service model to engage in high-level jewelry manufacturing.”
Mr. C.P.S Chauhan, Joint Development Commissioner, SEEPZ, addressed, “Strategically situated near Gate 1 of Mumbai’s SEEPZ Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Bharat Ratnam spans 1.15 lakh square feet and holds carbon-neutral certification from the Indian Green Building Council. It houses a training school for eco-friendly practices, serving SEEPZ SEZ and DTA units nationwide. The centre’s comprehensive ecosystem will nurture talent, facilitate trade, and promote sustainability.”
Spanning an area of 1.15 lakh square feet, the facility boasts a world-class infrastructure encompassing advanced technology, a training centre for skill development, buyer-seller meeting spaces, and a convention centre for year-round symposiums. Noteworthy features include 24*7 customs clearance, dedicated strong rooms, central air conditioning, DG backup, and rooftop solar panels, highlighting the centre’s commitment to sustainability.
Educational and Innovation Focus
A novel initiative within Bharat Ratnam is the Jewellery Occupational Skilling Hub (JOSH), hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI). This initiative targets skill development for marginalized communities and individuals with disabilities, offering 200 enrollment slots per batch, with 50 reserved for those with special needs.
The centre is poised to become a hub for innovation and holistic growth in the sector, aiming to serve both domestic and global markets effectively. It seeks to enhance production quality and efficiency, reduce costs, and minimise waste, thereby bolstering the competitiveness of the Indian economy.
Comprehensive Technical Services
Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC provides an array of cutting-edge technical services, including CAD and CAM rendering, 3D printing, casting, CNC machining, refining of precious metals, and a host of other services aimed at enhancing product quality and innovation. This “tech bazaar” will enable businesses to access and leverage advanced tools and solutions, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among industry stakeholders.
