6th IIJS Signature unfolds in Mumbai

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s sixth edition of the IIJS Signature unfolded on February 22, 2013, in Mumbai. It will conclude on February 25. This edition believed to be the largest of all the past Signature events was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Smt. Rita Menon, IAS, Chairperson & Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Guests of Honour, Mr. Stephen Lussier, CEO, Forevermark Diamonds Pvt Ltd, London and Shri. Siddharth, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Chairman, GJEPC, Shri. Vipul Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC Shri. Pankaj Parekh. Senior officials from GJEPC and eminent members of the trade were also present at the occasion. The show began with the lighting of the lamp followed by a guided tour around the exhibition.

The 6th IIJS Signature spread over 32,000 sq meters with 1,083 booths, has participation from over 550 exhibitors and over 7000 National and International visitors, 5 international pavilions.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “After a buoyant wedding and the festive season demand for orders to the US have been upbeat despite decrease in the amount of rough imports,” said Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC. “Signature is a great platform where international and national retailers and manufacturers come together to build associations, transact business and forge long-lasting relations that enable business transactions all year around. Hopefully, we will see greater quantum of business being transacted during this edition of IIJS 2013,” he further added. He also proclaimed two important jewellery conclaves planned to be hosted in Delhi this year. GJEPC in joint collaboration with ITPO will host its first business to consumer initiative, the India Gems and Jewellery Fair. The first edition of India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) will also unfold in Delhi this year, to focus on North-Indian designers apart from other designers. Rita Menon said, “We at ITPO are very happy to partner with GJEPC and host the B2C trade fair and the jewellery week. This will help the industry in many ways, as the policy makers in Delhi will have the first look at the potential of this dynamic industry. We are relying on GJEPCs experience and forte and depending on the council for the mobilisation of this show.”

At the inauguration, Shri Siddharth, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasised that the Indian government gives utmost importance to this sector for its contribution of being one of the highest employment-providing segments and foreign exchange earner, employing over 35 lakhs of people and is the second highest foreign exchange earner’. He further added that ‘it is no surprise then the Honorable Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, set up a special task group as soon as he learnt of the discomforts of the industry’, and further mentioned, ‘I am hopeful that the government will consider the key recommendations made.

Marking the event, Mr. Stephen Lussier, CEO, Forevermark Diamonds Pvt Ltd, London said “In 2011 we launched the Foreovermark diamond brand in India and have seen a very favorable response from domestic customers. India over the last decade has been the fastest growing diamond jewellery market, even surpassing countries such as China. This is mainly attributed to the love for diamonds and better economic conditions. We have aggressive goals for India and plan to double our sales in the coming years.”

Following its tradition, Signature 2013 will showcase exquisite jewellery collections, latest trends, allow an opportunity for buyers to meet leading trade partners. Amongst the five international pavilions featuring at the show, including Thailand, Belgium, Turkey, Israel and UAE, UAE pavilion features for the first time. Some of the key highlights of Signature 2013 include an online Buyer Matching Program which allows participating exhibitors to screen other exhibitors prior to the s