How do you look at the threat posed by China to the India gems and jewellery industry?
Yes, I believe that China is potentially a bigger threat for India than so far perceived. I also believe that at present there are a vast number of workers in China catering to the diamond industry. The workforce is extremely hardworking and cheap too. There are no labour laws also to impede the production process. More and more NRIs are preferring mainland China to India. China has become quite proficient in the last five years. The pace of growth set by the Chinese is quite astounding. And if it is not countered in time, China could well become a major processing centre. In jewellery too, the Chinese have made rapid strides ahead. They could be far more dangerous for the Indians in this segment as here India is still fighting to get a toehold. Your reaction to the increased inflow of better quality goods from Israel and Belgium? Do you think these roughs should have come directly to India? Better quality goods have been coming to India as a result of bilateral arrangements. And India
