Gangtok, Jul 26 (UNI) The Sikkim Jewels Ltd (SJL) has forwarded a proposal by premier Swiss company AMICOT to the state government to upgrade and expand its market.AMICOT's modernisation plan includes technology transfer, new machines, manpower training and access to international markets for SJL.''After studying the AMICOT report, we have submitted it to the state government with certain recommendations,'' SJL MD Pawan Kumar Awasty told media here today.The Swiss company and SJL, a government enterprise, had signed an MoU on March 16 last year to ensure the economic sustainability in both domestic and international export market.AMICOT had proposed to provide Sikkim Jewels with the latest technology inputs and required technical support to modernise and upgrade its machinery, production capacity and examine the kind of diversification required.AMICOT chairman Allen Gasser had visited SJL on July last year to have a first hand view for the company's upgradation and submitted a a detailed report later. He said it would be working to give Sikkim Jewels a good market in India, especially in the middle level segment, act as distributors of the products in the global market and work as technical consultants.Presently SJL supplies 60 per cent of its watch jewels to AMICOT, 30 per cent to Titan and the remaining products to manufacturers of industrial energy and water meters. ''Business with AMICOT has improved after Chief Minister Pawan Chamling visited Switzerland last year,'' Mr Awasthy said.With an annual turnover of Rs three crores for the past few years, the company is looking for new markets, the MD said adding that AMICOT had helped the company to expand globally and stay competitive. SJL, established in 1972, was a major supplier of jewels to HMT watches.
