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India is stepping up efforts to deepen trade relations with Zambia’s gemstone industry, with the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) calling for increased local processing and value addition to unlock the full potential of the country’s mineral wealth.
The appeal was made during the India-Zambia Global Connect Forum in Lusaka, where government officials and industry players from both countries met to discuss opportunities for expanding collaboration in gems, jewellery and precious stones.
GJEPC Executive Director, Sabyasachi Ray, said Zambia’s abundant gemstone resources presented significant opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment, particularly through stronger supply chains and greater business-to-business engagement.
Ray explained that the forum, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to overcome travel restrictions, had evolved into an important platform for connecting governments and private sector players.
He said the discussions focused on increasing gemstone sourcing from Zambia while fostering partnerships that would boost trade in processed gemstones and jewellery products.
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“Although India does not have domestic diamond mines, it has established itself as the world’s leading diamond processing centre. Fourteen out of every 15 diamonds used in jewellery globally are cut and polished in India,” Ray said.
He added that GJEPC, which represents diamond exporters, manufacturers, gemstone traders and jewellery producers, is keen to strengthen institutional cooperation and develop a roadmap for expanding bilateral trade.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, urged investors to channel more resources into downstream mineral processing, saying Zambia stood to gain more by exporting value-added products rather than raw gemstones.
Speaking through Director of Mines Development Fred Banda, Kabeta said resilient supply chains and stronger international partnerships were becoming increasingly important in a changing global economy.
India’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Alok Ranjan Jha, revealed that bilateral trade between the two countries grew by 23 percent during the 2025/2026 financial year, describing the increase as encouraging despite untapped potential.
Jha said digital engagement platforms introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic have become effective tools for promoting trade and investment and noted that the gemstone forum marked the fifth economic event organised by the Indian High Commission over the past year.
Also speaking at the forum, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Director of Foreign Trade, Bessie Chelemu, welcomed the growing collaboration between Zambia’s jewellery sector and Indian investors.
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