{"id":7838,"date":"2026-10-22T12:10:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T06:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/?p=7838"},"modified":"2026-10-22T12:10:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T06:40:38","slug":"colombo-to-world-class-gem-hub-status-by-2030-minister-handunnetti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/economictimes.lk\/index.php\/2026\/10\/22\/colombo-to-world-class-gem-hub-status-by-2030-minister-handunnetti\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombo to world-class gem hub status by 2030 \u2013 Minister Handunnetti"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sri Lanka is positioning itself to become a dominant global force in the gem and jewelry sector, with plans to establish an international-standard gem hub complete with advanced research, laboratory, and exhibition facilities in Colombo by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement was made by the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development, Sunil Handunnetti, during the 2026 Annual Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI). The event took place on October 21, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage of Minister Handunnetti and GJRTI Chairman Professor Rohan Fernando, alongside key industry leaders and distinguished guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, 325 students were awarded NVQ Level 4 and 5 certificates and diplomas after successfully completing vocational and technical training programs designed to bolster the national talent pipeline. Addressing the gathering, Minister Handunnetti highlighted Sri Lanka\u2019s immense potential to exert strong international influence in the gemstone trade through strategic state patronage and streamlined regulatory frameworks. He underscored Sri Lanka\u2019s unique advantage in processing rough gemstones imported from major global source markets including Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, and other African nations and using skilled local craftspeople to convert them into high-value jewelry for export.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In line with the National People\u2019s Power (NPP) government\u2019s broader  economic<\/a> revival program, the Minister detailed the roadmap for the upcoming 2030 Colombo facility. The planned hub will feature cutting-edge research laboratories, state-of-the-art exhibition halls, and dedicated hospitality amenities tailored for international trade visitors and tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To support this vision, the government is actively removing key import-export bottlenecks for rough gemstones and modernizing customs and airport infrastructure to ensure seamless trade, bringing Sri Lanka\u2019s gem sector in line with global benchmarks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Daily News <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sri Lanka is positioning itself to become a dominant global force in the gem and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t