Kimberley Process Certification Scheme inaugurated by Commerce Secretary

The Plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is being hosted by India.  The meeting was inaugurated by Commerce Secretary, Dr Anup Wadhawan. Presently, India exports around USD 24 billion cut and polished diamonds. It is expected to reach an export target of USD 1 trillion in few years. The KPCS is important to India as more than one million people are directly employed by the diamond industry. This industry also plays important role in sustaining livelihoods of these people. The importance of KPCS is immense to India as more than one million people are directly employed by the diamond industry. The industry also plays pivotal role in sustaining livelihoods of these people. India is one of the founder members of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and is the Chair of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. India is the Chair of Kimberley Process for the year 2019. India had earlier chaired KPCS in 2008.  Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, B.B. Swain, has been designated as KP Chair 2019 .  Currently, KPCS has 55 members representing 82 countries including EU with 28 members. It is chaired by participating countries on a rotating basis.  The Vice-Chair of KP is generally elected by KP Plenary each year who becomes the Chair in the next year. India is the current Chair of KPCS with Russian Federation as Vice Chair for the year 2019. Since 2003, India has been actively participating in the KPCS process and is a member of all Working Group of KP.   Department of Commerce is the nodal Department which is responsible for issuing KP Certificates and is also the custodian of KP Certificates received in the country.  Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is the KPCS Importing and Exporting Authority in India.