Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal lays foundation stone for Mega Common Facility Centre at SEEPZ

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Dec 20, 2021

The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal laid the foundation stone for the upcoming Mega Common Facility Centre at SEEPZ.

On December 18, the minister joined members of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council for the stone laying ceremony at SEEPZ. The event marked the beginning of the Mega CFC Mumbai Project which is valued at Rs 70 crore ($10.5 million) and is part of the Union Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the GJEPC announced on its website.
 
“I have rarely seen a faster execution of any project like the Mega CFC,” said Goyal on the occasion, the GJEPC reported.

“Today’s stone laying ceremony should culminate in the inauguration of Mega CFC on 1st May 2023, which is an important date– Labour Day, Maharashtra Day and the 50th anniversary of SEEPZ. However, do not compromise on quality and purchase the best equipment. The CFC building should be an iconic design. We need to have much bigger ambitions. The Government will do everything to reach the outstanding export numbers that GJEPC aims to achieve.”
 
The project aims to develop a hub for jewellery industry skills training and business operations in the area. “SEEPZ will have an important role in our plans going forward,” said Goyal. “I urge the industry to focus on three Ts - technology, trade and training.”
 
“The mega CFC at SEEPZ will redefine the future of the gem and jewellery industry,” said GJEPC chairman Colin Shah. “We are thankful to the commerce Ministry, it has been a strong pillar of support to resolve our issues and understand our requests to help fulfil this dream of the Mega CFC, Mumbai Project. There is a commitment of Rs 200 crore for the rejuvenation and redevelopment of SEEPZ-SEZ, and the establishment of a mega CFC with a budget of Rs 70 crore. This project aims to bring the gem and jewellery sector one step closer to the Atmanirbhar Bharat (the vision of the Prime Minister of making India a self-reliant nation) envisioned for the nation.”
 
Shah said that the SEEPZ currently contributes around $3 billion to India’s total annual gem and jewellery exports.

“With better infrastructure and technology, the SEEPZ definitely can contribute to $7 billion to $10 billion annually,” said Shah. “I am sure the Mega CFC will facilitate the required technology to boost the exports from the SEEPZ.”