29th IIJS kicks off

The 29th India International Jewellery Show, unfolded today, inaugurated at the hands of Honourable Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce & Industry along with Mr Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC and Mr Sanjay Kothari, Vice Chairman, GJEPC. A traditional lighting of a lamp ceremony kick started the show.

The GJEPC, India’s apex body for its gem and jewellery industry is organising the show, which is being held in Mumbai between 23rd-27th August. Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “The 29th edition of IIJS promises to be bigger than the previous, with a stronger presence of International contingents and representation from all over the globe”.

Delegations from India, Bangladesh, China, Dubai, Hungary, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and more, and pavilions from Thailand, Belgium, Israel, Turkey and UAE and 15 International Contingents are participating, besides around 50 new companies. Participation is spread across sections of Couture, Loose Diamond (Domestic), Plain Gold Jewellery, Mass Produced, Allied, Machinery and International (Jewellery and Loose Diamond).

The show is offering interesting segments like - an International Product Gallery – where 20 select Indian companies will showcase innovative designs to suit the US, European and Middle East markets. Revival of Indian Crafts: in which the GJEPC will contribute to reviving Indian crafts. Elaborating on this initiative Mr. Jain said that the Council will contribute to the welfare of the artisans practicing the dying arts and traditional arts of Indian jewellery making, by creating the Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India. This council will attempt to help these skilled workers to get a steady source of income through opportunities created by the council. Seminars: in which a Seminar Spectrum will inform participants on the latest trends and developments in the gem and jewellery industry. Club elite lounge for selected retailers: It has been set up for 1000 select retailers inside the exhibition halls.

He also emphasised that IIJS has the potential of growing from being ‘second largest show in Asia’, to ‘the largest show in the world once we make available an exhibition centre of the right size and infrastructure of international standard’. He added that ‘I urge the Honourable Minster to request the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation to accept our appeal to put into motion a special purpose vehicle under the stewardship of the Additional Director of Foreign Trade for spearheading work on the said Exhibition Centre”.