The 37th edition of IIJS Premiere was officially launched in Bengaluru by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) amidst leading jewellers and trade associations at Ritz Carlton on July 29. IIJS Premiere 2021 is one of Asia’s leading gem and jewellery trade exhibition organised in Mumbai each year. In view of COVID-19 restrictions, the show will be organised at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) this year.

The launch event was attended by Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development; M Nandan, Deputy Inspector General, CISF, Ministry of Home Affairs; Colin Shah Chairman, GJEPC; Mahendra Tayal, Regional Chairman, South GJEPC; Shailesh Sangani, Convener National Exhibition, GJEPC; GS Eswar Ganjam, Ganjam Jewellers; Mansukh Kothari, Co-Convener, National Exhibition, GJEPC; Somasundaram PR, Regional CEO, World Gold Council; and Sabyasachi Ray ED, GJEPC.

The launch in Bengaluru will be followed by a series of road shows in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Delhi. The objective of the road show is to increase participation from smaller towns across the country, which will lead to stronger trade relationships and larger volumes of business transacted.

GJEPC Chairman Colin Shah said, “We are extremely elated to launch the 37th edition of IIJS Premiere at Bengaluru. An event of this magnitude needs a great venue, so we are glad that Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) stepped up to help us organise it. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka for extending their support towards organising the first physical trade show post-pandemic. The event will be organised following all COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety.”

Mahendra Tayal, Regional Chairman, South, GJEPC, said, “IIJS will be held in Bengaluru for the first-time. I request my friends from the trade, retailers and buyers to support IIJS and make the show a grand success. It will be a completely new experience for exhibitors and visitors as Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) is spacious and has better infrastructure. It is an ideal venue to organize a show of this magnitude.”

Shailesh Sangani, Convener, Exhibitions, GJEPC, said, “We have finalised Bengaluru as our destination to host IIJS Premiere this year, owing to the venue constraints in Mumbai. Shifting the venue has not affected the participants’ enthusiasm, as evident from the applications received from 1275 companies for 2444 stalls. As always, Safety and Security will be our utmost priority at the show.”

Mansukh Kothari, Co-convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC, said, “I am sure that the series of roadshows lined up will add to the success of the upcoming IIJS Premiere 2021. We look forward to surpassing the business generated in the previous edition.”

IIJS Premiere 2021 is the first show to be organised in the physical form after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. All registrations for the latest edition will be processed online. Since this is GJEPC’s first in-person trade show after the lockdown, it will follow all COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety. All event attendees will be required to follow COVID safely protocols as per the Karnataka government’s norms. One dose vaccine certificate is compulsory to attend the event, as is the RT-PCR report, conducted within 48 hrs. For double vaccinated attendees, RT-PCR test is not required.