The 35th India International Jewellery Show Premiere (IIJS) was inaugurated this morning at Mumbai by Dr Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation in the presence of GJEPC Chairman Pramod Agrawal, Vice Chairman Colin Shah, foreign diplomats, government officials and leading members of the trade. The show, which opened today, will run till August 13, 2018.

In its latest avatar, the show has expanded to a new hall within the complex, in the process adding about 10,000 sq metres of space and accommodating 800 additional booths, making it one among the top three jewellery shows globally.

The IIJS now has 1,300 exhibitors, 2,500 booths and over 35,000 pre-registered visitors. It also includes a Machinery section, spread over two independent venues.

Most exhibitors seemed confident of a positive outcome at the show, and the steady stream of visitors through the halls on the first day itself, many of whom were engaged in long discussions at booths, provided an additional boost to sentiment.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman Agrawal had said that the Council was working very closely with the government to achieve its vision of adding 2 million jobs in the sector and increasing exports to US$ 70 billion by 2022. To this end, it had already initiated a survey to map the manpower, capability, skill level and competency of key gem and jewellery clusters across the country to develop appropriate action plans. Similarly, Council had taken steps to enhance infrastructure through setting up 13 Common Facility Centres, developing a chain of training institutions, participating in the global campaign for the generic promotion of diamonds, and aggressively marketing Indian jewellery through participation in shows, conducting Buyer-Seller meets and other initiatives.

Congratulating the Council for its efforts, Dr Cavalieri said that CIBJO and GJEPC have worked closely together, and would continue to do so, while stating that “the global jewellery industry cannot march forward without the valuable inputs from a country like India”. He praised the organisers for the hospitality and presentation of the show, and added that he was confident that the diamond, gemstones and jewellery sectors would all continue to grow strongly in the coming years.

In a video message to the GJEPC on the occasion of IIJS, Honourable Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Shri Suresh Prabhu extended his apologies for not being personally present to inaugurate the show as it was taking place on the same day as the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the government was keen to help the industry develop to new heights and promote Indian jewellery globally. “The potential to increase exports of customised, handmade jewellery is great,” Shri Prabhu said, “as India has jewellers in every village. We are in the process of setting up a Domestic Council to lead this effort and have already worked with the GJEPC to enhance skills and boost access to technology through CFCs and training and skilling institutes.”

Vice Chairman Colin Shah unveiled the GJEPC’s new promotional campaign which conveyed different aspects of the lesser known face of the industry – its contribution to GDP, the massive employment it generates, welfare schemes for workers and so much more. Shah said the GJEPC campaign to promote this face of the industry would be unveiled across print and social media.

Thanking all those who had contributed to putting together the show, Shailesh Sangani, GJEPC’s Convener, National Exhibitions said that the show was expected to host nearly 40,000 visitors over the next few days. He stated that it was the busiest and biggest global show in terms of actual business transacted and the Council was keen to take it to newer heights.

At the inauguration function, IIGJ also released a new coffee table book, Pride of India.

Pic caption: Lighting the lamp at the inauguration of IIJS 2018 (from l)  Pramod Agarwal, Chairman, GJEPC, Ms Nirupa Bhatt, India MD, Gemmological Institute of America, Mr Colin Shah, Vice President, GJEPC, Mr Shailesh Sangiani, Gold Jewellery & Other Precious Metal Jewellery Panel, GJEPC, Mr Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC and Dr Gaetano Cavaleri, President CIBJO