CHAIRMAN of Gem Group of Companies from India – Mr. R. Veeramani and Director of Gem Granites – Mr. R. Gunasekaran on Friday, August 11, toured the BK Quarries in Bartica and visited the BK International Inc. gold-mining operations at Mahdia, along with a stop-over at the world-famous Kaieteur Falls.

They were accompanied by CEO of BK International Inc Mr. Brian Tiwarie, Mr. Wallace Ng-See-Quan – Special Assistant, Public and Diaspora Affairs and Investigations from the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. David Lammy – British MP and his wife along with other officials.

Gem Group was on a five-day scoping mission to explore investment opportunities in Guyana. Mr. Veeramani expressed his high appreciation for the hospitality shown his team, and indicated his interest in aspects of the semi-precious stone industry in Guyana, a country with so much potential, he pointed out. But the semi-precious stones and gem magnate wondered why there is not more being done to boost the tourism industry and have more merchandise available for sale to tourists at the Kaieteur Falls.

Gem Granites is based at 78, Cathedral Road, Chennai, India. After arriving in Guyana, the Indian business team visited the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). There they presented the GGMC with samples of semi-precious stones from the Indian stone- mining giant Gem Group of Companies.

Chairman of Gem Group, R. Veeramani, and Director of Gem Granites, R. Gunasekaran, paid a courtesy call on acting GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison on Thursday, August 10 and made the presentation. A sample of these stones was presented to be displayed in the GGMC’s library. “Those varieties that they are going to leave with us will certainly put (our lapidary display) on a different platform,” Mr. Dennison pointed out.

Mr. Veeramani, who also chairs the Development Panel for Granite Industry within India’s Ministry of Industry, told Commissioner Dennison that his company has assisted other countries with the promotion and development of their stone industries. “We help other countries in establishing the market and to promote their material,” Mr. Veeramani disclosed.

Commissioner Dennison noted that establishing this collaboration would help to improve the GGMC’s lapidary section, which remains underdeveloped and under-promoted. “Perhaps this is a good time to see how we can raise the profile and get the lapidary back on the proper footing,” Mr. Dennison said.

Mr. Veeramani is credited with promoting India’s stone industry, whose export market is valued at about $2 billion! India has identified 200 varieties of stone, and Gem Group has branded more than 70 varieties of those stones.