(Press Release) MUMBAI, INDIA – The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) presented the 33rd edition of its annual India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), held Aug. 4-8 at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai. One of the largest gem and jewelry trade shows in Asia, IIJS is a five-day B2B event and a platform that allows the global gem and jewelry industry an opportunity to explore the various multi-faceted aspects of the Indian gem and industry.
As GJEPC celebrates its 50th golden anniversary, IIJS now features nearly 1,200 exhibitors, 2,000-plus booths, 50,000 square feet, and more than 35,000 visitors from 800-plus Indian cities/ towns and 80 countries around the world. IIJS is a platform that showcases India’s expertise and craftsmanship in gold, diamond, silver and colored stones. The Machinery section will be held between Aug. 5-8 at Hotel Lalit Mumbai (near International Airport) with more than 120 leading companies and booths.
Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC), Russell Mehta (vice chairman, GJEPC), Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India), Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group), Sabyasachi Ray (ED, GJEPC), and Saunak Parikh (convener, national exhibitions sub-committee, GJEPC) unveiled the commemorative IIJS special catalogue during the opening session of IIJS.
De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver was the chief guest inaugurating the IIJS 2016 in the presence of Praveenshankar Pandya. Several prominent jewelers, celebrities and personalities also attended. GJEPC signs Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with De Beers, The Guangzhou Diamond Exchange, China and The Guangdong Gems and Jade Exchange (GDGJE), China.
“The gems jewelry sector contributes significantly to India in terms of exports, employment and key economic indicators,” says Pandya. “Every year we strive to take the IIJS brand a notch higher, and this year, too, we have introduced new features including the Hall of Innovation that will promote excellence in design and innovation; and a separate section dedicated to the micro, small and medium enterprises in the gem and jewelry industry to give them impetus as they are the backbone of the Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative. At IIJS 2016, we are hoping to increase the transacted business by at least 15 percent over and above that generated at IIJS 2015.”
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“Government and GJEPC are working jointly and passionately to take the gems and jewelry industry to the next level and the next cycle of progress,” says Dwivedi. “The government’s priority is employment and the country’s vast labor force has to be optimally utilized to enhance productivity and skill sets. Our goal should be to increase exports and match up to international best-in-class practices while competing globally and stimulating demand. Government reforms will be in tune with promotions. The most significant reform after the 1991 liberalization – GST has become a reality and the key is seamless implementation. One country, one tax, one market will infuse new energy into the economy and growth will materialize. The Skill Council of India has targeted to train 5 million workers and upgrade skills. The other key initiative is to geographically map, tag and brand the unique jewelry of different parts of the country – be it jewelry from South or North East or Jaipur – to highlight the craftsmanship of that particular area.”
On the opening day of IIJS 2016, GJEPC also signed three Memoranda of Understanding.
The Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with De Beers to undertake promotional activities to drive consumer demand for diamond jewelry in India. The marketing campaign will be run over the key selling season, and the funding will be agreed by both GJEPC and De Beers.
Commenting on the agreement, De Beers CEO Bruce Cleever says, “I have said before that we must be unrelenting in driving consumer demand so we are very excited about this partnership with GJEPC, a globally acclaimed export trade body. India is already one of the world’s most important markets for consumer sales of diamond jewelry and we believe it has an exciting opportunity for further growth.”
Saunak Parikh, convener – national exhibitions sub-committee, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, added, “IIJS is not only a tried-and-tested business platform, but a grand flagship event that brings the entire gem and jewelry industry together from around the world under one roof. IIJS is a critical part of the industry’s business calendar for manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and designers alike. This internationally renowned show propels the gem and jewelry industry to gear up for a change in consumer sentiments and fashion trends. As the show’s popularity keeps growing, and with about 92 percent retention of space by past exhibitors, it is always challenging for us to accommodate new participants. However, it is our endeavor to give an opportunity to as many exhibitors as possible. The revamped Elite Club now includes 1,676 leading buyers from 198 tier I, II and III cities and towns across India. The GJEPC is continuously working towards improving the amenities and facilities at the IIJS to offer both visitors and exhibitors the ease of doing business in a relaxed environment.”
The MOUs of GJEPC with GDGJE and GZDE, will have a framework to established cooperation and facilitate collaboration between the parties, on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of mutual interest and understanding in diamonds industry, promotional activities and trading.
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The three MOUs signed are with De Beers, The Guangdong Gems and Jade Exchange (GDGJE) and with the Guangzhou Diamond Exchange (GZDE), which are two of the biggest gems and jade trading gateway in southern Mainland China.
More than 230 delegations from Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, United Kingdom, China, Sri Lanka, Russia, Egypt, Malaysia and Korea attended the IIJS 2016 event.
The 33rd edition of India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) included several firsts. IIJS 2016 features the Hall of Innovation, a space that is solely dedicated to showcasing the technical and creative prowess of Indian manufacturing houses as well as young and established designers. In a bid to bolster the “Make In India” initiative, IIJS, for the first time, gives prominence to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment that is expected to play a major role in the growth of the Indian economy. A separate section is dedicated for these exhibitors. The show timings have been extended from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The product sections include Couture/ Mass, Produced/Plain Gold, Loose Stones/Gemstones/ Pearls, Synthetics & Simulants, Allied Education & Laboratories, International Pavilions, Hall of Innovation, Special MSME Cluster and Machinery at The Lalit Hotel.
The Machinery Section of IIJS has got upgraded and will move to a new destination – The Lalit. The swanky venue not only accommodates more exhibitors but also provides more space to showcase innovations in the manufacturing segment to cater to the increased visitor traffic. The Lalit allows both visitors and exhibitors to observe and learn about the latest technological advancements that will eventually help the industry to take steps forward. More than 120 exhibitors from India and some leading companies from China, Turkey, USA, Italy and others take part in this edition of the show, which will be held concurrently with the IIJS. It caters to a vast range of requirements including tools and equipment, precious alloy and refinery ingredients, gemstone machinery, diamond and production machinery and equipment and jewelry production machinery.
L to R: Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC), Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India) and Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group) inaugurate the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
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L to R: Sabyasachi Ray (ED, GJEPC), Russell Mehta (vice chairman, GJEPC), Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India), Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group), Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC) and Saunak Parikh (convener – national exhibitions sub-committee, GJEPC) during the opening session of the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
L to R: Sabyasachi Ray (ED, GJEPC), Russell Mehta (vice chairman, GJEPC), Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India), Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group), Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC) and Saunak Parikh (convener – national exhibitions sub-committee, GJEPC) unveil the commemorative IIJS special catalogue during the opening session of the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
L to R: Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC) lights the traditional lamp in the presence of Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group), Sabyasachi Ray (ED, GJEPC), Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India) and Russell Mehta (vice chairman, GJEPC) during the opening session of the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
R to L: Praveenshankar Pandya (chairman, GJEPC) gives a special memento to Mr. Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group) during the opening session of the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
L to R: Saunak Parikh (convener – national exhibitions sub-committee, GJEPC) and Russell Mehta (vice chairman, GJEPC) give a special memento to Manoj Dwivedi (Jt. secretary, Ministry of Commerce, government of India) in the presence of Bruce Cleaver (CEO, De Beers Group) during the opening session of the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
A view of the stalls during the GJEPC’s India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2016.
