Govt. mulls more glitter for gem and jewellery industry via tourism, exports

The Government is planning to develop the gem and jewellery industry with a view to attract international travellers and expand value-added, high quality export products.

In a meeting with gem and jewellery industry stakeholders this week, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga highlighted the need to introduce a program to promote high quality Sri Lankan gems and jewellery among all visitors coming to the country. “Of the tourists who visit the country annually, only about 1.5 million have the purchasing power to afford gem and jewellery products. Apart from Sri Lankan expatriates and Asian tourists, there is potential to generate around $ 500 million foreign exchange by selling gems and jewellery to foreign travellers. I believe that a program should be implemented to attract tourists to gems and jewellery,” he said.

It is hoped that the introduction of a new initiative will change the counterfeit gem and jewellery market and enable international tourists to buy high quality Sri Lankan gems and jewellery.

“Gem and jewellery is one of the oldest exports in our country. Our gems and jewellery were in great demand in the past as well as now. It is our responsibility to protect and expand the brand recognition we have for our gem and jewellery industry,” the Minister said.

During the discussion the stakeholders brought to the attention of the Minister the irregularities and misconduct of the tour guides.

“Some tour guides are quoting exorbitant prices and ruining the image of our country. Many people are of the opinion that this situation arises due to the arbitrary commissions by those who take tourists to jewellery shops. Hence, an introduction of a fixed commission to stop fraud and protect the reputation of the country will be a great help in uplifting the gem and jewellery industry,” they stressed.

The stakeholders also requested the Minister to take gem and jewellery under the purview of the tourism industry, given the correlation between the two sectors whilst reminding that their industry was also severely impacted by the COVID pandemic.

In response the Minister assured he would study all these concerns of the industry stakeholders and take necessary action. “We all aim to increase tourism-related income as it directly affects the development process of the country,” he added.

“The suggestions made to promote the gem and jewellery industry via videos on-board, en-route to hotel and at the airport premises as well as setting up new shops in tourist hotspots will be considered,” Ranatunga said.

The Minister appreciated the service and commitment of the gem and jewellery industry to generate over $ 1 billion to the national economy. “Our country is a land rich in mineral resources. There are 72 precious gems in our country. We have the ability to sell these from $ 100 to as high as $ 300,000 per stone. There is a good demand for our gems and jewellery in China, Hong Kong, Japan and the Gulf countries,” he said.

He also said visits to gem mines had the potential to generate sound income. “We must always be on the lookout for new avenues to attract tourists. It is also proposed to limit the exports of mineral sand, such as dolomite and phosphate gems, without any value addition to encourage higher revenue generation to the community and economy at large,” Ranatunga said.