The IIJS Signature, which will be held from February 13-16, 2020 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, is all set to start the gem and jewellery industry’s year with a bang.

India's first trade show of the calendar year, organised by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), is widely regarded as a central event for design and technology. It attracts thousands of buyers, both domestic and international, from various cities of India and from different countries from across the world.

“This premium B2B jewellery-buying show has already attracted more than 10,800 pre-registered visitors,” said GJEPC. “These visitors have confirmed their presence for the show in the first phase of pre-registration that ended on December 17th 2019, which is 261% higher than last year. The GJEPC is expecting to get more registrations in the second phase that will end in mid-January 2020.”

In a first, IIJS Signature this year has planned a special Design Pavilion, which will feature the collections of nine women entrepreneurs and nine budding jewellery designers, specially selected to participate on this platform.

Their participation in the show will not only be a great learning experience for the chosen designers and entrepreneurs as they will gain an understanding of the market requirements; it will also provide them the opportunity to meet buyers from India and abroad and network with them. GJEPC has offered special rates for these participants with the aim of encouraging tomorrow’s creative stars of India.

Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, GJEPC commented: “IIJS Signature has defined itself as an important barometer of success for the Indian industry, showcasing the best of jewellery in terms of design, quality and finish, as well as high technology solutions – all under one roof. The show will undoubtedly help to boost India’s jewellery exports from US$12 billion at present to US$18 billion by 2025.”

He added: “As an endeavour to encourage design talent and women’s entrepreneurship, this time we have created a special Design Pavilion, which will showcase the works of nine hand-picked women entrepreneurs and nine budding jewellery designers from the industry. GJEPC has offered nominal rates for these participants, with an aim to bring forth such design talent. As GJEPC we indulge in series of design initiatives across the year that helps nurture the skillset and talent of jewellery design. The Design Pavilion at IIJS Signature is yet another such effort in that direction.”  

Colin Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said: “The heartening response received from exhibitors and visitors for IIJS Signature – in terms of record numbers of stall bookings and pre-registrations – is the best antidote to the slowdown that has affected our industry for so long. It is a clear indication that the trade believes 2020 will witness an uptick in demand throughout the pipeline. In these stressful times, the optimism and positivity shown by our industry is perhaps our greatest strength. I envisage a more stable political and economic environment in the next few years, which will hopefully bring about further business-friendly policy changes related to taxation, export finance and so on.”

Mansukh Kothari, Convener, National Exhibitions Sub-Committee, GJEPC, remarked: “IIJS Signature stands tall for its eclectic mix of high-design jewellery to cater to a variety of individual requirements. The first show of the Indian calendar year is perfectly timed to replenish inventory for the upcoming festivals that drive jewellery sales and the summer wedding season.”

Speaking on the Design Pavilion, Kothari said: “India is a powerhouse of design when it comes to jewellery. It was imperative to showcase this design talent to the world at IIJS Signature, as the show provides significant opportunity and exposure to Indian and International buyers.”

Two significant events have been timed to take place around the IIJS Signature – Design Inspirations and The Artisan Awards. These are being organised in keeping with the GJEPC’s stated objective of raising the design consciousness of the Indian industry.

The Artisan Awards 2020, the theme of which this year is “Architectural Gems”, will honour nine winners on February 12th 2020, at an exclusive gala in Mumbai, one day prior to the start of IIJS Signature. In the first round of judging, 27 finalists were selected from the 625 entries. The designs were based on the three key architectural eras – Art Deco, Islamic Arabesque and Neo-Futurism. The Awards will be presented by a renowned international jewellery artist, who is specially visiting the show for this purpose.

The day-long Design Inspirations seminar, which will be held on the sidelines of IIJS Signature, on February 16, will see a slew of distinguished foreign and Indian speakers from the fields of fashion, jewellery, retail and more. These influential experts will share their knowledge and experience to stimulate ideas and innovation.

IIJS Signature, besides being a perfect networking platform due to its unhurried pace, is also a show at which you can put your finger on the pulse of the market in terms of design, market demand, and insights on inventive technology.