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Survey Notes Challenges Facing Females in India’s Jewelry Industry
Jul 24, 2012 2:45 AM
By Dilipp S Nag
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RAPAPORT... Female entrepreneurs in India’s gems and jewelry industry face several hurdles as traditional values often hinder their progress. A survey on Women Entrepreneurs in Gems & Jewellery Sector, conducted by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), noted some of the obstacles restricting female-led operations, including difficulty procuring raw materials and finding skilled manpower in each of the manufacturing, marketing and retailing aspects of their businesses.
FLO questioned women who have been in the industry for more than 10 years as well as newcomers for the survey. A majority of the respondents from small- and medium-size enterprises noted it is difficult for them to obtain quality products such as gemstones, particularly in Delhi, because of the traditional mindset of people in the industry.
Other concerns included the low wages prevalent in the industry, its hesitance to train staff, as businesses feel threatened by them, and a general fear of poaching and sharing internal practices. The survey added that financing options are inadequate and respondents stressed that more needs to be done to sustain the industry’s competitive edge globally.
The survey showed that there is a growing need to modernize the sector in line with international trends. FLO explained that the rising spending capability of the Indian consumer has made gems and jewelry a lucrative business opportunity for women entrepreneurs and that most of the survey participants view the industry as a very profitable sector as their businesses are thriving.
FLO recommended that the government should formulate policies to encourage gems and jewelry as a career opportunity for women and increase training initiatives so that skilled manpower is easily available in India. The respondents suggested that skills enhancement centers should be set up to help develop skills.
The organization added that the government should introduce specific measures for women entrepreneurs to encourage them to tap the growing potential of this sector, particularly given the growth of branded jewelry in the country.
The survey concluded that female entrepreneurs across India should be provided with a platform to gain better access to national and international markets, develop partnerships with value chain operators, and network with businesses in related industries.
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Tags:
Branded jewelry, diamond, Dilipp S Nag, FICCI Ladies Organization, FLO, gems, Gems & Jewelry, Gold jewelry, India, Jewelry, Rapaport, women
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