{"id":36944,"date":"2026-06-18T14:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T08:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/?p=36944"},"modified":"2026-06-18T15:02:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T09:32:48","slug":"ijex-helped-us-grow-our-exports-by-15-abhishek-sand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/ijex-helped-us-grow-our-exports-by-15-abhishek-sand\/","title":{"rendered":"IJEX Helped Us Grow Our Exports by 15%: Abhishek Sand"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many Indian exporters looking to establish a strong foothold in the UAE have found the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) to be an ideal launchpad for growth.<\/em><\/p>\n

Speaking to Solitaire International, <\/em>Abhishek Sand, Partner, Savio Jewellery, India,<\/strong> shared how participation in IJEX\u2014GJEPC\u2019s permanent, year-round B2B exhibition platform for Indian gem and jewellery exporters\u2014played a pivotal role in the company\u2019s expansion strategy. Coupled with the trade benefits offered under the India-UAE CEPA, the platform provided valuable access to opportunities across the UAE and wider Middle East market.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sand noted that together, these initiatives acted as a catalyst for Savio Jewellery\u2019s regional growth, helping the company increase its exports by 15%.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Abhishek Sand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What made you participate in IJEX?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We used to participate in International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS), organised by GJEPC exclusively for international buyers in Dubai. The experience highlighted the strong and largely untapped demand for our product range across the Middle East, encouraging us to further expand our presence in the region.<\/p>\n

However, beyond a handful of clients, we did not have a significant presence in the region. As we sought to expand our footprint in this promising market, we decided to participate in IJEX in February 2025.<\/p>\n

It was a valuable opportunity to operate from a premium, well-designed exhibition office at IJEX, strategically located in Dubai\u2019s prestigious Gold Souk district, one of the world\u2019s most renowned jewellery trading hubs.<\/p>\n

Could you share your experience at the IJEX office since you were there for a duration of three months\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The GJEPC team is extremely proactive and well connected with both independent and corporate retailers. They regularly set up appointments for us, giving us direct access to company owners and key decision-makers. This \u00a0saved us considerable time that would otherwise have been spent navigating different levels of management.<\/p>\n

Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response we received during our three-month stint at IJEX, we decided to establish our own office in Dubai to cater to the B2B segment. It has been a year since then, and we have witnessed 15 % growth in sales.<\/p>\n

Currently, though, demand has softened due to the prevailing geopolitical uncertainties, with many customers postponing purchases. Tourist arrivals in Dubai have also been impacted, as airline operations remain limited. Given the city’s heavy reliance on tourism-driven retail sales, these factors have inevitably affected market sentiment.<\/p>\n

However, we remain confident that once the war clouds ebb, the market will regain its momentum and growth will return. We are bullish about the long-term prospects of the region and believe that five years from now, we will be doing fantastic business.<\/p>\n

IJEX has truly been a springboard for our expansion in the Middle East, helping us scale our presence in the region.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 Savio Jewellery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What kind of merchandise is being favoured by your clients in the region? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Medium- to high-end coloured gemstone jewellery is our forte. While diamond jewellery is available in abundance across the Middle East, there is a clear gap in the market for refined coloured gemstone collections. Consumers in the region have a strong preference for jewellery set with emeralds, rubies, blue sapphires, tanzanite, kyanite, kunzite, Japanese coral, opals, and pearls. There\u2019s a growing awareness of coloured gemstones today, thanks in part to jewellery influencers who actively promote them. Moreover, leading global luxury brands such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels are increasingly showcasing coloured gemstones such as Paraiba tourmalines, tanzanites, rubies and other rare gems in their collections.<\/p>\n

Since we previously participated in the IGJS shows, we had a fair understanding of the design elements that did not resonate with customers in the region.<\/p>\n

IJEX further helped us refine and customise our collections to align with local tastes and aesthetic preferences. We continuously evaluated market feedback and adapted our product offerings to better meet customer expectations.<\/p>\n

How has CEPA benefited your business growth? <\/strong><\/p>\n

CEPA has undoubtedly been a game changer!<\/p>\n

Without the India-UAE CEPA agreement, Indian jewellery exporters would not have been able to compete effectively in the Dubai market.<\/p>\n

Prior to CEPA, Indian jewellery exports to the UAE attracted a 6% import duty, making Indian products significantly more expensive in a market that operates strictly on international gold prices. This placed India at a clear disadvantage compared to competing hubs such as Turkey, Hong Kong, and China.<\/p>\n

CEPA eliminated this duty for qualifying Indian-made jewellery, creating a level playing field for Indian exporters and allowing \u00a0them to compete on equal terms globally.<\/p>\n

The agreement has been instrumental in strengthening India\u2019s position in the Middle East market and has opened up opportunities for more flexible and competitive business models in the region.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u00a9 Savio Jewellery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What advice would you give to Indian jewellery exporters who are considering participating in IJEX?
\n<\/strong>If you are looking to start exporting, the Middle East is an excellent market to begin with. However, patience is essential, as building relationships and achieving results takes time. Exporters should also be prepared for the investment involved in participating at IJEX, including costs related to exhibition space, logistics, inventory, and manpower over a three-month period.<\/p>\n

That said, for companies with a long-term vision and commitment to international growth, IJEX is one of the best entry points I would recommend for Indian exporters seeking to establish a presence in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Is the expansion in the Middle East and the USA \u2014 your major markets \u2014 the reason behind establishing a new 32,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in Jaipur?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently, nearly 35% of our total export turnover comes from international markets, while the remaining business is generated within India. However, we aim to increase our export turnover by another 15% over a period of time.<\/p>\n

The new manufacturing facility is part of our larger growth strategy, especially as we expand further in the Middle East and the US markets.<\/p>\n

At present, we have a workforce of around 250 employees, but we plan to increase our staff strength to nearly 700 in the coming years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many Indian exporters looking to establish a strong foothold in the UAE have found the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) to be an ideal launchpad for growth. Speaking to Solitaire International, Abhishek Sand, Partner, Savio Jewellery, India, shared how participation in IJEX\u2014GJEPC\u2019s permanent, year-round B2B exhibition platform for Indian gem and jewellery exporters\u2014played a pivotal…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36968,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85,79],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-36944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-demand-mapping","category-viewpoint"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIJEX Helped Us Grow Our Exports by 15%: Abhishek Sand - Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gjepc.org\/solitaire\/ijex-helped-us-grow-our-exports-by-15-abhishek-sand\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"IJEX Helped Us Grow Our Exports by 15%: Abhishek Sand - Solitaire magazine is a International jewellery magazine - India\u2019s leading B2B gem and jewellery magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Many Indian exporters looking to establish a strong foothold in the UAE have found the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) to be an ideal launchpad for growth. 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