Unveiling Signature 2014

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) officially inaugurated its Seventh edition of Signature in Mumbai on February 21, 2014, at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre (NSE Complex), Mumbai. Spread over 30,000 square meters with 1100 Booths, Signature 2014 being held from Feb 21-24, 2014 will see participation from over 580 exhibitors and over 10,000 National and International visitors from 350 cities and towns across India and over 500 International visitors from 28 countries.

The event was inaugurated by Chief Guest, H E Dr Hassan Fakhroo, The Honorable Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kingdom of Bahrain and Guest of Honour, Mr. Andrey Polyakov, Vice President, Alrosa, Russian Federation along with Shri. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, Shri. Pankaj Parekh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, Mr. Nirav Bhansali, Convener – Exhibitions Sub Committee (National), GJEPC, other senior officials from GJEPC and eminent members of the trade. The distinguished guests lit the lamp as a mark of commencement.

Nirav Bhansali, Convener – Exhibitions Sub Committee (National), GJEPC, welcomed everyone by saying, “On behalf of GJEPC and my colleagues from the industry, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your gracious presence amongst us today. I also want to thank the international dignitaries from 28 nations including delegations from Russia, Romania, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Turkey, China and UAE. For the last seven years, the industry and this show has witnessed interesting changes and today it is a matter of immense pride that Signature is the second best show after the India International Jewellery Show in the international gems and jewellery fraternity.” On this occasion, Shri. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said “Signature was originally conceptualised as a supplement to the highly successful India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) with the intention to showcase not just India’s cutting and polishing capabilities but to also showcase our capabilities to provide design and creative inputs towards jewellery. With the seventh edition of Signature, we are aiming to showcase our capabilities to the world and are confident that soon, in the near future, India will gain recognition as a hub for design and creative inputs. This is our aim and GJEPC is committed to attaining this status.”

He continued, “For quite some time it is said that two-third of cutting and polishing of rough diamonds is done in India but, I am happy to inform you that this two-third figure is now outdated. 14 out of 15 rough diamonds produced around the world now come to India for cutting and polishing. “

“With several new features that we have added for the convenience of our exhibitors and visitors, we look forward in seeing greater quantum of business being transacted during this edition of Signature 2014.” He concluded.

Chief Guest, H E Dr Hassan Fakhroo, The Honorable Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kingdom of Bahrain expressed his gratitude by stating, “Its a great pleasure and honour to be in Mumbai, a city very dear to my heart. My meeting with the Prime Minister and President of India proved to be successful both economically and politically. I hope our meeting will enhance the jewellery industry for both India and Bahrain.”

Guest of Honour, Mr. Andrey Polyakov, Vice President, Alrosa, Russian Federation, quoted “The diamond business is based on trust. India and Russia are very different in many ways but yet we are united. India and Russia both have common challenges and I want to thank GJEPC for their partnership and also want to thank them for their invitation.”

The inauguration was followed by a guided tour around the exhibition.