NITI Aayog and GJEPC align to edge up competitiveness!

 

India’s GJ exports to escape global headwinds on the back of Brand India  

On 7th October 2025, the National Institution for Transforming India [NITI] Aayog and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) aligned their vision to strengthen the competitiveness and export potential of India’s Gem & Jewellery (GJ) sector. The meeting, held at the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), Mumbai, brought together key stakeholders for strategic discussions on enhancing India’s global standing in gems and jewellery trade. 

The well set dais noted the presence of Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Anoop Mehta, Convener, Audit & Finance Sub-committee and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. Along with the stakeholders the dais welcomed & hosted Sanjeet Singh, IRS - Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, Government of India. 

In his concise address, Singh reaffirmed India’s long-term development vision; Viksit Bharat@2047, and emphasized NITI Aayog’s guiding mantra: Reform, Perform, Transform. He underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring Ease of Doing Business [EoDB] and a hassle-free environment for trade and industry. 

Speaking from his experience as an IRS officer, Singh focused on regulatory and tax reforms, advocating for a trust-based tax administration that promotes voluntary compliance. He highlighted NITI Aayog’s approach to rationalising procedures, fostering transparency, and creating a fair, balanced, and internationally aligned direct tax regime.  

According to the NITI Ayog, ‘the heart of India’s tax administration, encouraging voluntary compliance and ensuring that criminal prosecution remains the exception, not the norm. The resulting system will be robust, credible, and aligned with international standards for direct tax governance.’  

Here, it is also expected that, being IRS, Sanjeet Singh must have focussed on SNZ- IDTC’s potentials & SEEPZ- SEZ on the reform-perform-transform test!  

Acknowledging the challenges currently faced by GJ exporters amid global headwinds, Singh expressed his intent to boost the sector’s global competitiveness and promote, Brand India - across international markets. He also assured the industry of continued engagement, stating his willingness to revisit and interact closely with exporters to understand operational hurdles firsthand.  

Prior to the stakeholder session, Singh held a meeting with GJEPC’s office-bearers. Sources indicated that NITI Aayog plans further one-on-one interactions with key exporters to explore actionable strategies for enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global gems and jewellery value chain.