Sri Lanka's oldest export industry - gemstones – will get a new boost from the liberation of the north and east and the restoration of peace in the island.
A leading gem trader says that there would be renewed interest in the gem industry as more gemstones would be brought from Madagascar for cutting and polishing here.
Sri Lankan traders currently bring gemstones from there for cutting and polishing here but often its difficult to establish its origin when its re-exported. There are still more than 3,000 gem mines in Sri Lanka but some argue the future of the industry lies in developing a processing centre for high end precious stones which need specialised cutters with considerable experience, said Chairman, Falcon International M.G.M.S Zurfick in an interview with The Sunday Times FT.
If the industry is to make a rapid and successful transition from a supplier of raw stones to an internationally recognised processing centre of quality then there needs to be planning and funds from the government, he said. Gem exporters complain there are plenty of good ideas but nothing tangible actually happening on the ground to drive the industry forward. But for the time being business is good because buyers are no longer scared away by bomb threats in Colombo and that peace is being restored with the recent military victories in the north and east.
Dr Zurfick disclosed that he has made suggestion to the President to open a Sri Lankan Embassy or a trade mission in Madagascar as more Sri Lankan traders now visit Madagascar and Tanzania to buy rough stones which they bring home for cutting and polishing.
The government is to set up a diplomatic mission in Madagascar considering his proposal, he said adding that the Cabinet has given its approval for this purpose.
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