Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector is seeking to strengthen its position in India through a business delegation led by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), which is visiting India from 8 to 13 August 2026 to develop buyer relationships, encourage sourcing partnerships and promote investment opportunities across the value chain.
Supported by the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi and the Sri Lanka Consulate in Mumbai, the delegation brings together senior representatives from the EDB and the National Gem & Jewellery Authority (NGJA), as well as members of leading industry associations and established Sri Lankan companies. The visit represents a constructive effort to connect the island’s long-standing gemstone expertise with one of the world’s largest jewellery manufacturing, trading and retail markets.
The delegation includes representatives of the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association, the Lanka Gem Dealers & Miners Association and the Ceylon Gem & Jewellery Traders Association. Participating companies include Gem Paradise, Punsiri Gems, Mansoor Gems, Beauty Gems, Gemluxe Ceylon, Ashadi Jewellers, GemTrad, Ceylon Gemora and Cey Gems.
Building commercial links through Mumbai
The first stage of the programme took place from 8 to 9 August, when the Sri Lankan delegation visited the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex and the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.
The show provided an important platform for the delegation to observe contemporary Indian market trends, understand buyer preferences and engage directly with manufacturers, traders, exhibitors, buyers and other industry stakeholders. In a sector where commercial confidence is frequently built through direct contact, such meetings can be instrumental in identifying practical opportunities for cooperation between Sri Lankan exporters and Indian businesses.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations, identifying new areas of cooperation and increasing business linkages in the gem and jewellery sector. Particular attention was given to the potential for Sri Lankan exporters to connect with Indian manufacturers, retailers and traders requiring distinctive natural gemstones, reliable sourcing arrangements and specialised jewellery products.
Sri Lanka possesses a distinctive advantage in this field. The country is internationally recognised for its natural sapphires, rubies and other precious and semi-precious stones, while its gem-cutting traditions and jewellery craftsmanship have been developed across generations. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s gem, diamond and jewellery sector information describes the country as one of the world’s important gem-bearing nations, supported by the availability of precious stones and the expertise of local exporters.
The opportunity in India therefore extends beyond the sale of individual stones. It encompasses the development of long-term sourcing relationships, the supply of finished and semi-finished jewellery, joint product development, technical collaboration and investment in value-added processing.
Trade and investment promotion from 10 to 12 August
A further component of the delegation’s programme consists of trade and investment promotional events held with Indian chambers of commerce and business organisations from 10 to 12 August.
On 10 August, meetings were held with the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Maharashtra Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA). The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai delivered opening remarks, underlining the importance of closer commercial interaction between the two countries.
The Chairman of the EDB presented information on trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and India, with particular emphasis on the potential to expand cooperation in gems and jewellery. Discussions covered increased sourcing, commercial partnerships, investment and business collaborations between companies in both countries.
The Chairman of the NGJA highlighted the global reputation of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry, including its natural gemstones, skilled workforce and industry knowledge. Indian investors and commercial stakeholders were encouraged to examine opportunities for partnerships with Sri Lankan companies, particularly in areas where technical expertise, design capability and access to high-quality natural stones can be combined.
Representatives of the participating Sri Lankan companies also delivered individual presentations explaining their products, capabilities and areas of business interest. These presentations enabled Indian business representatives to gain a clearer understanding of the range of services and products available within Sri Lanka’s sector, while promoting the island as a source of ethically obtained gemstones, fine jewellery and value-added products.
The programme is also scheduled to include engagements with the World Trade Centre Mumbai, the All India Association of Industries, the International Chamber of Investment and Business, and the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Agriculture in Pune. Such forums create opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to meet potential buyers and investors in a more focused environment, where commercial requirements, standards, logistics and possible areas of collaboration can be discussed in detail.
The participating Sri Lankan associations are additionally using the visit to promote important national industry events, including Gem City Rathnapura, FACETS 2027 and Gem Sri Lanka. These events offer further opportunities for Indian and international buyers to visit Sri Lanka, meet exporters and examine the country’s capabilities at source.
Jaipur training strengthens the value chain
The August trade mission follows an 18-day capacity-building programme conducted in Jaipur from 6 to 23 July 2026, during which a 29-member delegation of Sri Lankan gem and jewellery professionals received specialised training at the Indian Institute of Gem & Jewellery in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The programme was organised within the framework of India’s continuing bilateral capacity-building cooperation with Sri Lanka. The initiative followed an announcement made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, under which India committed to providing 700 customised training opportunities each year for Sri Lankan professionals.
The Jaipur programme covered the complete gem and jewellery value chain, with training focused on practical tools, design editing and 3D print-ready outputs. Participants were also taken to leading gemstone manufacturing facilities, including Valentine Silver International in Jaipur, where contemporary production technologies, design development processes and modern retail practices were observed.
This technical exposure is important because international competitiveness increasingly depends not only on the availability of attractive stones, but also on precision, consistency, design innovation, certification, responsible sourcing and the ability to deliver finished products that meet the requirements of sophisticated buyers.
The training programme and the August business delegation are therefore complementary. Jaipur provided professional development and technical exposure, while the India visit is creating opportunities for Sri Lankan companies to apply those capabilities in commercial settings. Together, the initiatives support a gradual movement from the export of raw or minimally processed material towards higher-value gemstones, custom-designed jewellery and finished products.
Sri Lanka Expo 2027 offers a wider platform
During the Mumbai meetings, the EDB also promoted Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which is scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 January 2027 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
Indian trade buyers have been invited to attend the exhibition, while international companies involved in advanced technologies, machinery and other areas relevant to Sri Lanka’s export industries are being encouraged to participate. For the gem and jewellery sector, the event can become an important venue for presenting Ceylon sapphires, coloured gemstones, fine jewellery and associated technical capabilities to a broader international audience.
The Expo also provides a natural follow-up to the relationships initiated during the August delegation. Indian buyers and investors who meet Sri Lankan companies in Mumbai and Pune will have an opportunity to continue those discussions in Colombo, view a wider range of products and explore direct commercial relationships with exporters and manufacturers.
A positive outlook for Sri Lankan craftsmanship
The Indian market offers significant potential because it combines a large consumer base with deep expertise in jewellery manufacturing, retail and international trade. Sri Lanka’s opportunity lies in presenting its own strengths clearly: rare natural stones, recognised craftsmanship, a tradition of gem expertise and the capacity to develop more sophisticated value-added products.
The success of this initiative will depend on sustained follow-up after the delegation concludes, including reliable business communication, transparent sourcing practices, consistent quality, professional certification and efficient export services. Continued technical training will also be valuable, particularly in modern cutting, jewellery design, computer-aided manufacturing, product development and international market presentation.
The EDB-led delegation demonstrates that Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry is approaching export growth through both market access and capability development. By combining technical cooperation in Jaipur, direct buyer engagement in Mumbai and Pune, and the international platform of Sri Lanka Expo 2027, the sector is positioning itself for stronger commercial relationships and a larger share of India’s extensive jewellery market.
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