Gem, diamond and jewellery export earnings in 2009 amounted to a massive Rs.45 billion exceeding the estimated target, according to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA).

In a press release, Chairman and CEO Hasitha Tillekeratne said a number of steps were taken under the Mahinda Chintana to develop the gem industry including finding new markets to prevent the local industry from being adversely affected by the global recession, resulting in the collapse of markets in the United States, Europe and Japan. The new markets are India, China, Russia, Turkey, Taiwan and Oman.

The national budgets for the past two years granted a number of dividends to ensure the industry’s stability, the press release stated. The highest record of gem land auctions were held last year to provide lands for mining while projects were launched to protect infertile state lands where gem deposits are yet to be identified.

Plans have been drawn up to search for gems from the river beds of Mahaweli, Kalu Ganga and other major rivers through environmentally-friendly techniques, Mr. Tillekeratne said. In the press release, he assured that all steps have been taken to minimiz environmental damage, adding that the NGJA had detected and foiled a number of instances of unauthorized gem mining.