Long lines at the entry and exit points, crowded aisles, stalls fairly full with visitors and lots of eager interaction between exhibitors and visitors, the first two days of IIJS Premiere 2017 gave early indications that the exhibition would surpass expectations on most counts.

“It is still early in the show,” GJEPC Chairman Praveenshankar Pandya said at a media briefing on July 28, “but the general feedback we are getting from both the manufacturers who are here to sell and the visitors who are here to place orders is that everyone is quite happy with the results.”

He went on to add that there was a good international turnout with delegations from many important as well as emerging markets, and the contacts developed at the show would get converted into business going forward. Pandya also said that representatives of most of the large chains in India were present. “While it may be premature to compare it with earlier shows, the first two days make us feel it will be good.”

As always the gold jewellery sections witnessed a larger turnout, while in the diamond jewellery sections too the crowds were fairly significant. Most exhibitors in these parts of the exhibition expressed satisfaction over the numbers. Many opined that the visitor turnout was significantly high for the first two days of the show, and that they had heightened expectations for the weekend.

Davide Martini of the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) which had coordinated the participation of 15 companies from Italy spread out over the machinery and jewellery sections, said that the response have been fairly strong. “Generally speaking, Italian jewellery designs have a limited appeal here given the culture and tastes of most Indian consumers. But, silver and gold chains from Italy have always been popular here,” he said, explaining that the country had a larger presence in the machinery section, with many of them displaying chain manufacturing technology and machines.

“We have had quite a few inquiries from Indian jewellers wanting to participate in the fairs that IEG organizes in Vicenza and Dubai, and also had fruitful interaction with the GJEPC in this regard,”Davide stated.

Euro Gems, an Italian jewellery company headed by Bhavya Jain, an Italian citizen of Indian origin has unveiled its exclusive high-end jewellery line Megha crafted in 18k white gold with diamonds and precious stones in addition to displaying other lines. He said that the jewellery was manufactured by a sister concern in Jaipur, at a dedicated export unit set up over three decades ago. “Euro Gems has a strong design team in Italy and oversees production at the unit here with stringent quality checks. The jewellery sells well in the international markets,” Jain said.

He, however pointed out that the high import duties have been an obstacle to getting big orders at the show, but IIJS was helping him to develop contacts and he would benefit if there was any alteration in the duty structure in future.

Sevilay Tekin from Guvenis, a Turkish manufacturer of jewellery molds for casting, felt the footfalls in Hall 2 were slightly slower than in other halls where the company had its booth in earlier years. He said that there had been some inquiries and they were anticipating a higher turnout over the weekend.

A representative of the COAR Group from Arezzo, Italy, which sells silver chains and gold plated fashion jewellery in India through its distributor Shree Trading, said that the response from the show was satisfying. “Silver chains are popular in India for so many different types of ornaments,” she pointed out. “We have been selling our products for some time, and find a number of jewellers across the country willing to pay a slightly higher rate because they value the quality and finish we are able to deliver,” she said, “IIJS is a good platform to develop this network.”

Pic caption: Crowds in Hall 5 at IIJS