The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council or GJEPC launched the 15th edition of their design-centric jewellery show of the calendar year 2023, India International Jewellery Show or IIJS Signature 2023 and India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo or IGJME at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, from 5th to 9th January 2023.

The inauguration of IIJS Signature 2023 was graced by guests of honour that included Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; Poonam Mahajan, Member of Parliament and MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds. They were accompanied by R. Arulanandan, Director, Department of Commerce, Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry; Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Nirav Bhansali, Convener, National Exhibitions; Nitesh Gajera, CO Convener and Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC along with other dignitaries.

The 15th edition of IIJS Signature is the biggest-ever and is as large as the IIJS Premiere, which is usually held in August each year. Given the bigger format of the show, IIJS Signature has been extended to five days instead of four, so that visitors and exhibitors are not hard-pressed for time to cover the entire show floor of six halls encompassing 65,000 sq. ft. IIJS Signature will accommodate more than 1,300 exhibitors spread over 2,400+ booths. IIJS Signature will see 24,000 visitors from 10,000 domestic companies attending the show. GJEPC has introduced a new section for lab-grown diamonds. IGJME is concurrent show with over 90 companies, more than 115 booths at Hall 7.

This year, IIJS Signature has record number of 800 foreign visitors from 600 companies from 50 countries. Delegations from 10 countries including U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, UAE, Bahrain and Russia have arrived. For the first time a delegation has come from Saudi Arabia with 18 prime buyers.

Chief Guest Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said, “Effort made by GJEPC to make the 5-day IIJS Signature show bigger, better and greener is truly praiseworthy and commendable. IIJS Signature has given an opportunity to indigenous jewellers from diverse parts of the country to showcase their versatile collections to international buyers from over 50 countries. With $40 billion worth of exports, the gems and jewellery sector is a prominent contributor to growing Indian exports year on year. Government is committed to promoting gem & jewellery exports.”

Poonam Mahajan, Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha, said the next 25 years after Amrit Mahotsav celebration should see India as the global leader and hub in gem and jewellery exports. She said that Bharat will be a Kohinoor in the global gem and jewellery business. “The new Jewellery Park in Navi Mumbai will make Maharashtra and India a global leader. It is estimated to generate 1 lakh jobs in this sector,” she opined.

MP Ahammed, Chairman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, said, “GJEPC has helped regional jewellers with a global platform to fulfil Prime Minister’s vision of taking Indian jewellers from every corner of the country to the global market. We believe in Make in India and Market to the world concept.”

Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, “India is a world leader in diamonds, gems & jewellery and GJEPC has earned the title of being the most proactive EPC in India due to several initiatives such as IIJS, international exhibitions and promotions. This year, the show has become bigger, better and greener than ever before.”

Talking about GJEPC’s recommendations for the Union Budget 2023-24, he said, “Reduction in Import Duty on gold, silver and platinum to 4% is our prime demand to the Government, as it is draining off the capital from the exporters and is the generator of economic malpractices of all kind. One of the requests is to Allow Sale of Rough diamonds in Special Notified Zone through Safe Harbour rule by diamond companies. At least 20% of the rough diamond traded in the world will be shifted to SNZ in India due to the level playing field given to the foreign mining companies.”

Nirav Bhansali, Convener, National Exhibitions, GJEPC, said, “Since its inception 38 years ago, IIJS has surpassed its role as a conventional exhibition and has become the primary national platform for the Indian jewellery manufacturing industry to network with global retailers. This edition of IIJS Signature show has many new and innovative features.”

The product sections at IIJS Signature 2023 include: Gold & Gold CZ Studded Jewellery; Diamond, Gemstone & Other Studded Jewellery; Silver Jewellery, Artefacts & Gifting Items; Loose Stones; Laboratories & Education; and Lab Grown Diamond (Loose & Jewellery).

New features at IIJS Signature 2023 include: Innov8 Talks, with sessions on Experiential Marketing, Alternate Financing, etc. Innov8 LaunchPad exclusive product launch area. Innov8 Hub is a Future Tech Zone that will feature New Age App Developers, Artificial Intelligence.

GJEPC is taking all effort to make the show bigger, better and greener. GJEPC aims to make the IIJS shows completely carbon-neutral by 2025-2026, and are taking steps in this direction. Firstly, all booths at IIJS Signature are pre-fabricated to avoid any wastage. Secondly, for the first time ever, IIJS Signature will be using Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd., which supplies power harnessed by solar and wind energy. Thirdly, and the most important initiative is One Earth! GJEPC is committed to contribute to Mother Earth while creating a conducive ecosystem for our gem & jewellery members. GJEPC is introducing “One Earth” initiative to treasure Planet Earth in association with Sankalp Taru Foundation.