(Press Release) MUMBAI — Shri Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Dept. Commerce, MoC&I, Govt of India and Mr. Alan Chirgwin, VP, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto accompanied by Mr. Praveenshankar Pandya (Chairman, GJEPC), Mr. Russell Mehta (Vice Chairman, GJEPC), Mr. Saunak Parikh (Convener – National Exhibitions Sub-committee, GJEPC) inaugurated the prestigious 34th edition of the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS 2017) organised by the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on July 27 at Mumbai.
(Left – Right) – Mr Russell Mehta, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, Bollywood Singer Smt Anuradha Paudwal, Mr Alan Chirgwin, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Copper and Diamond, Rio Tinto, Mr Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC and Mr Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India at the inauguration ceremony of the 34th edition of the India International Jewellery Show (IIIJS) 2017.
IIJS popularity has doubled in terms of participations with nearly 1,200 exhibitors, 2,000+ booths, 53,500 sq. ft., 35,000 trade visitors from 800+ Indian cities/ towns and 80 countries around the world. With 30,000 pre – registered visitors using GJEPC’s online platform for registration, the highlight for this year’s IIJS has been the fact that GJEPC has been successful in adopting the digital transformation by going 100% cashless. In addition to this, International delegations from UK, USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Iran along with Bangladesh and Malaysia are visiting to India’s premiere Gem & Jewellery Show.
Addressing the participants at the inaugural function, Mr. Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, said, “The jewellery industry needs to achieve a higher scale of achievement in the upcoming years in order to become globally competitive and give an impetus to jewellery exports. The Government is taking various policy initiatives to find ways and means to improve the sector since it is the only sector providing maximum employment opportunities to both skilled and unskilled workers across India. IIJS is a great event for the entire industry as a whole with many participants seen joining the exhibition each year. GJEPC should start creating regional chapters hosting events zone-wise to encourage local artisans and jewellers to participate.”
Sharing his views on the industry post the implementation on GST, Mr. Dwivedi stated, “Though the GST scheme has been implemented smoothly in last four weeks, there are some challenges that we face in certain areas. The jewellery and diamond sector with the support of the government is working on improvising by incorporating the feedback received from industry associations. He urged the fraternity to work with utmost accountability to promote growth, employment and provide a better standard of living for the workers at large.”
Mr. Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “I am overwhelmed with the ever increasing response for IIJS and this kind of participation has taken this show and the Indian gems and jewellery industry to a different level altogether. We are working towards the introduction of Jewellery parks on the lines of IT parks across India in the prominent gems & Jewellery areas. We are looking for a bigger venue to host the next IIJS to accommodate more Jewellery enthusiasts who wish to participate in IIJS.”
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Mr. Alan Chirgwin, VP, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto said, “Rio Tinto has co-incidentally completed 34 years since its incorporation and this is an emotional bonding that Rio Tinto and GJEPC share. He also acknowledged the efforts undertaken by GJEPC to place India at the center stage of the global platform for the diamond industry.”
The Machinery Expo is being held between 28-31 July, 2017 at Hotel Lalit Mumbai (near International Airport) with over 120 leading companies & booths as participants.
GJEPC organized CSR initiative “Jewellers for Hope” Charity dinner in association with De Beers on the evening of 27th July at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. This year the proceeds of Rs. 1 Cr shall go to Girl Rising, Nanhi Kali NGOs working for the empowerment of Girl Child and Make a Wish Foundation, an NGO playing an integral role by granting the most cherished wish of Children living with life threatening illnesses hailing from socio economically backward society.
In addition GJEPC also organized, ‘Prelude to IIJS 2017’, a B2B event on July 26 at Hotel Grand Hyatt. The event featured leading Jewellery Manufacturers showcasing their exquisite jewellery collections specially created for 34th India International Jewellery Show (IIJS).
