In a fast-globalising world, Indian jewellers are no longer content with playing just a domestic game. GJEPC’s inaugural Market Familiarisation Programme (FAM) at the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) in Dubai offered emerging exporters practical exposure and real-time market understanding. The pilot edition, held in late June 2025, brought together 12 diverse participants ready to explore, learn, and leap into the global jewellery trade.
As Indian jewellery manufacturers and aspiring exporters set their sights on international growth and step into global markets, the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX), Dubai, has rolled out a timely initiative to guide their journey. The Market Familiarisation Programme (FAM), launched under the GJEPC’s Exporter Mentorship framework, is designed to simplify the leap into exports—offering real-world exposure, market intelligence, and hands-on learning over a focused one-week module.
At its core, the IJEX FAM Programme aims to:
- Simplify processes and amplify impact using the IJEX platform.
- Onboard and empower emerging jewellers with the skills and knowledge required for global expansion.
- Provide an introduction and overview of the UAE market’s jewellery trends and industry dynamics.
- Enable and nurture trade ties with the local trade ecosystem and potential clients.
- Help participants understand cultural influences on jewellery preferences, which directly impact design, marketing, and sales strategies.
Held from 23-28 June 2025, the pilot batch welcomed 12 jewellery exporters from across India representing the gold, diamond, silver, and lab-grown jewellery segments. The programme featured store visits, market tours, and sessions with domain experts—including a valuable deep-dive with renowned jewellery consultant Mr. Raj Sahai, who walked participants through consumer behaviours, pricing strategies, and regional trade protocols.
Industry experts Tushar Gupta of Suntech Consultancy and Girish Matharani of Transguard shared valuable insights on compliance and secure handling. One of the most engaging sessions was led by Mahima Verma and Tarun Jain from the World Academy of Design, offering designers a fresh perspective and practical takeaways.
If this is just the beginning, then the IJEX Familiarisation Programme is off to a solid start—one that could soon become a bold leap for India’s jewellery exporters aiming to go global.
But beyond the structure, it was the shared experience and individual takeaways that made the week memorable. Here’s what some of the participants had to say:
Vatsal Agarwal, Arjandass Ishkumar
“The experience at the FAM programme was exceptional. All six days were thoughtfully curated and incredibly productive. I’m grateful to GJEPC for this experience.
It is easy to get lost in a new market, a new city with unique market dynamics. However, with the guidance of true experts in the domain, the journey was extremely productive.
The programme expanded my horizons and has motivated me to innovate, create, and grow with clarity. I’m looking forward to their continued mentorship and to beginning exports soon.”
Lohith Subramanya, Carbon Velvet Overseas LLP
“The Exporter Mentorship Programme by GJEPC was an amazing experience. I greatly appreciate the valuable inputs provided by Mr. Girish Matrani regarding the handling of logistical aspects. I also gained a deeper understanding of the market, thanks to the IJEX team for organising visits to select jewellery business hubs in the UAE.
I look forward to utilising the learnings from the programme and applying them to take my business forward.”
Gaganveer Singh, GVS Trading
“The Familiarisation Programme was a top-notch learning experience. My doubts regarding what to export, where my products stand, and how to address any gaps in the product segment, if any, were duly addressed.
I’m especially grateful to the IJEX team, which answered every query and guided us at each step. They helped us cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
I highly recommend this one-week course to all members of the jewellery fraternity who wish to start exporting.”
Ankith Chajjed, JJJ Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.
“At just 21, being part of the IJEX Familiarisation Programme has been an enriching experience. From understanding Dubai’s jewellery market to witnessing buyer preferences, every moment was packed with learning. IJEX has created a powerful platform for Indian jewellers.”
Alvin John, Krizora Creations Pvt. Ltd.
“The IJEX FAM Programme truly helped me identify the market and its key opportunities. It’s far better to attend this one-week programme before setting up an office in Dubai. We had the chance to observe and compare ongoing trends in both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi jewellery markets. What stood out was the transparency of the IJEX team—they shared valuable insights that many others are often unwilling to reveal. However, it would be great to dedicate a full day solely to identifying and meeting potential customers.”
Namita Naik, Namita Naik Jewellery
“I joined the programme with an open mind and a lot of hope—and I haven’t been disappointed one bit. I’ve truly appreciated how well-coordinated and hardworking the entire team has been throughout.
I feel I’m in the right hands, and I’m hopeful about starting work with Dubai from 2025 itself!”
Gokul Prasath, Sakhti Gold Pvt. Ltd.
“This was my first visit to the market, and overall, it’s been a good experience for me. However, I didn’t get to see many products. A buyer meet would really help to understand what they’re looking for and try to manufacture accordingly.
It would be better to split participants into gold and diamond groups, as their needs are different. Also, instead of spending time visiting malls, we could focus on local markets, which can ideally be covered in 2–3 days.
It would be great if buyer meetings could be arranged within the premises during the one-week programme itself.”
Sripal Jain & Gautam Jain, Sri Rishab Diamonds
“We had the opportunity to explore the market and understand its needs. It was truly helpful in learning how to create and position our jewellery for this market. The IJEX team was extremely supportive, and I’d definitely recommend others to visit and be a part of this programme.”
John Roy, Stellar Creations
“Had a good experience understanding the markets across various cities in the UAE. The opportunity to network with fellow aspirants interested in exports allowed us to share ideas, challenges, and insights. I also gained a clearer picture of current design trends and market demands. However, the compliance aspect could have been more structured.
Overall, it was a valuable initiative by GJEPC to help us understand, evaluate, and decide whether exports are a viable option for our business.”
Vishwesh Baranwal Singh, Vaasu Gems & Jewellery
“This is one of the finest programmes of GJEPC—it’s a boon for a first-time exporter like me as it’s a completely new market of UAE. I was not able to get a grip of the market which GJEPC helped me achieve. Now I have a better idea of the market trends in the UAE. Without the help of GJEPC, it would have taken way more effort and time to understand—without the certainty of real business.”