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| Sunday, 23 October 2005 |
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Gem industry will swell national coffers - pm by Don Asoka Wijewardena The setting up of the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI) in Ratnapura was one of the government policies of regionalising the industries,said Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse at the opening ceremony of the Gem and Jewellery and Research and Training Institute in Hidellana,Ratnapura on Wednesday. Premier Rajapakse said that he had taken a special interest to develop the gem industry as it would swell the national coffers and would also open new avenues internationally. He said that the new institute was housed in a new building from where it would contribute to render its people-friendly services within a physical environment ideal for training,learning and researching in the respective areas of colour enhancement of gems through heat treatment,geological mapping of gem deposits,jewellery designing and manufacturing. Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said to facilitate people engaged in the gem and jewellery industry the ports and airports levy was removed last week and it was up to the people to make use of this facility to modernise and improve the gem and jewellery industry. Minister Bogollagama said that it was the wish of the government to improve the gem industry and find a lucrative international market for Sri Lanka's gems in the near future. He also said that the GJRTI would uplift this vital segment in the
national industries and wished facilities available in the institute would
be better made use of by those engaged in the industry. |
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