Govt. Issues Notification to accept Amendment to Kimberley Process Certificates post validation by GJEPC

MUMBAI, 30th September, (GNI): The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) , Government of India, issued a notification dated 28th September permitting the amendment of technical nature, typographical errors or errors apparent on the face of records in KP Certificate based on SOP and validated by Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).  

The amended policy condition shall also be applicable to pending imports of rough diamonds.   

Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “The notification is a step towards further enhancing ease of doing business in the sector. This will smoothen the clearance import parcels of rough diamond held due to technical errors at the customs end.  India imports 1514.70 lakh carats of rough diamonds for cutting and polishing in the country and KP is a prerequisite for each shipment imported. Council thanks DGFT for the notification and recognises the efforts of Customs at PCCC, Dept of Revenue and Dept of Commerce for the cooperation and guidance provided in resolving the long standing issue and strengthening the KP.”

GJEPC as per KP procedure endorses the KP Certificates received from the KP Issuing Authority abroad for clearance of rough diamonds imported from abroad. In case the KP issuing authority of such exporting country indicates of any change in writing after the issuance of the certificate DGFT has empowered GJEPC to endorse such changes based on which the clearance of the goods will be permitted by Customs. Vide such notification, the Council will also have the authority to endorse the email communication from the KP Certificate Issuing Authority abroad for cases of re-export authorised by Customs. Such parcels can be re-exported / returned to the country accompanied by Technical Certificates to be issued by GJEPC.

The GJEPC is the nodal agency for Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and undertakes all KP certification within the country, as well as assist GoI’s representation on international fora on all KP related matters.

KPCS is an international mechanism mandated by UN to stop the trade of conflict diamonds which were being used to finance wars against legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process (KP) is of tripartite nature comprising of member states and regional economic integration organizations that are eligible to trade in rough diamonds as participants and the civil society & Industry as observers. There are 56 participants representing 82 countries, with the European Community counting as a single participant. The participants include all major rough diamond producing, exporting and trading countries, stated in the press release.

 About The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of gems & jewellery industry and today represents 7000 exporters in the sector.  With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.ends