%% The 28th edition of India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2011, organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), was inaugurated earlier in the day by H E Mr. Ahmed bin Sulayem , executive chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and Mr. PK Chaudhery, special secretary, ministry of commerce and industry, India, in the presence of Mr. Rajiv Jain, chairman, GJEPC, Mr. Sanjay Kothari, vice chairman, GJEPC, Mr. Haresh Zaveri, convener, GJEPC and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, executive director, GJEPC. %% This year the show is spread over around 42,000 square feet area and 1,700 stalls have been allotted to 800 jewellery companies. Some of the countries to send their delegates to IIJS are Russia, Italy, Turkey, UAE, Japan, Azerbaijan and Poland to name a few. The Council is all set to open its new office in Dubai and planning to organize an Indo-Japan buyer seller meet soon. %% According to Mr. Jain, “The real challenge lies in sourcing raw materials and we look forward to a collective effort by the entire industry to overcome all challenges”. %% Delivering the Welcome Address in front of a packed hall, Rajiv Jain, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “This year there are 1700 booths and over 800 exhibitors spread over a massive 42,000 sq m. The fact that 97% of previous participants are a part of this year’s show, speaks volumes about the success of the show.” %% Chief Guest P.K. Chaudhery congratulated the GJEPC for the outstanding export performance of the industry, and added that it would undoubtedly play a key role in helping the country achieve the target of doubling its current overall level of exports by 2014. “The combination of the rich and diverse culture of India with the latest global technology is one of the real strengths of this industry,” he noted. %% H.E. Mohammed Bin Sulayem said that the interaction between India and Dubai had grown manifold in recent years with many Indian companies opening offices in Dubai, and expressed the hope that ties between the two countries would be further strengthened through interactions at various levels including through shows like IIJW and IIJS. %% Haresh Zaveri, Convener, IIJS Sub-Committee proposed a Vote of Thanks. %%