|
|
|
| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Quality certificates for gems soon The government and the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) are in the process of introducing an internationally recognised quality certificate to certify the quality of gems purchased from Sri Lanka. At present though certificates are issued it is not recognised internationally and therefore Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and the SLGJA are working towards it. Minister Bogollagama told a press conference to announce the removal of VAT on the import and trading of gems, diamonds and precious metals that more incentives for the mining sector will be given in the 2006 budget. He said among the future plans for the industry are setting up a Gem laboratory and gem trading floor in Ratnapura, 10 lapidaries and a video conferencing facility from Ratnapura. All these steps will help the Gem and jewellery sector. The government felt that the sector was mature and therefore the VAT of 15% percent was introduced by the 2005 budget and after representations were made by the trade on the negative effects we lobbied against it from March and it has been removed, the Minister said. SG |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
