GJEPC Appoints New Chairman

RAPAPORT... The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) haselected Pramod Kumar Agarwal as its chairman, and Colin Shah as vice chairmanfor the 2018 to 2020 period, the Indian trade organization announced Friday. Agarwal (pictured) was the Rajasthan regional chairman of the GJEPC,and has been the chairman of the GJEPC's Indian Institute of Gem and Jewellery,Jaipurfor the past five years. The new chairman said he will focus on facilitating tax reform during his term in office. That would include the introduction of a presumptive taxation - tax based on average income ratherthan actual income - reducing the goods and services tax (GST) for cut and polished diamonds and scrapping GST for goldand silver exports. "It would be my sincere effort to work closely with theindustry and the government to bring in reforms that would provide the Indiangold and jewelry industry a competitive edge in the world market," Argawaladded. Shah is the managing director of Kama Schachter Jewellery,and has served as awards subcommittee convener for the GJEPC. Elected regional chairs include Ashok Gajera, DineshNavadia, Nirmal Kumar Bardia, Prakash Chandra Pincha, Mahendra Kumar Tayal andAshok Sheth.