“Today in the world the middle class is rising. People who have money is emerging in all the Asian countries as well as in the West. So potentially that market is there. The question is: how are we going to address that issue?” Dr. Amunugama added.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka has been known for centuries as the land of gems, Dr. Amunugama stated that it was time the gem and jewellery industry bestowed a noteworthy return to the economy of this country.
“We have money coming in from apparel, tea as well as from a few other agricultural exports, but I think that you will all agree that we can do much more in the area of gems and jewellery,” Dr.Amunugama added.
Commending the gem and jewellery exporters’ efforts in contributing to the national economy, he assured that the Government would seriously consider their demands.