This meets comes on the heels of Virtual Buyer-Seller Meet held on September 3 and 4, major sales have taken place in that meet. “In the diamond virtual Buyer-Seller-Meet, sales had gone to the tune of three lakh dollars from one buyer itself,” informed Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. After which GJEPC has organized gold jewellery BSM from September 21 -24, with majority of buyers from middle east – as highest market is from there the meet has enrolled nine exhibitors and 17 buyers from: UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, New Zealand, UK, etc.  Among the participants include: Durga Chains, Mumbai; Shine Shilpi Jewellers, Mumbai; R K jewels, Mumbai, Unique Chains, Mumbai, Senco Gold, Kolkata; Choksi Vachhraj Makanji & Co., Junagad; Jewel India, Kolkata; Hasmukh Parekh Jewellers, Kolkata; among others. Among buyers include: Damas Jewellery, UAE; Malabar Gold and Diamonds, UAE; Joyalukkas, UAE; Chittilappilly Jewellers LLC, UAE; Al Sulaiman Jewellers, Qatar; Kalyan Jewellers, UAE; Sona Sansar, New Zealand; among others.

“GJEPC has also announced IIJS Virtual, for which they already have registrations from 300 exhibitors, 2000 buyers, they have also announced Indian Global Connect which will happen from September 20,” informed Sabyasachi Ray, of GJEPC.

Said Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, “ There is a vengeance shopping which is being observed in China, Dubai, Hong Kong, Europe and USA. Earlier, we have been organizing a lot of exhibitions in real time, earlier – now we have gone virtual. This virtual world can make a lot procedures simpler and easy. There are technical nuances which we are mastering with practice.”

Ecommerce policy needs to be implemented for the benefit of the G & J segment and 2 percent levy for miners and waiving off turnover tax in SNZ -- the council is awaiting all these clarifications from finance ministry.

Furthermore, GJEPC is striving to create an ecosystem for effective trade. Chief Guest Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India; Ms Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, were present for the inaugural session of the gold jewellery virtual buyer-seller meet. Also present were, Dilip Shah, convenor, international exhibitions, Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, among others.

Speaking on the occasion Vipul Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Manufacturing units have started functioning, although with considerable limitations. There is demand from USA, Europe and Hong Kong and the demand will rise with the upcoming holiday season in the Western countries. I would like to thank the Ministry of Commerce for their support during these difficult times.”

Said Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, “This is an important occasion when all participants are getting used to a New Normal. We all are looking for opportunities to do business. I would like to congratulate GJEPC for organising this grand virtual buyer-seller meet. We can reclaim the pre Covid19 profits with the help of such platforms. India is an undisputed world leader in cutting and polishing of diamonds. The Indian diaspora of around 15 million across the world is one of the key consumers of gold and diamond jewellery made in India. Ecommerce policies are needed in this day and age, I am hopeful that we can come out with a viable proposition which will suffice one and all.”

Mr Dilip Shah, presented vote of thanks, “We have worked hard to give almost a real-life experience to this virtual meet. We are thankful to all participants and Chief Guest Suresh Kumar for taking time out to attend the inaugural session.”

Sabyasachi Ray, Executive director also appreciated the efforts of Ramesh Vora, coordinator for middle east and Mr Naik, in Australia and NZ.