Former GJEPC chairman awarded 'Order of Merit of the Italian Republic'

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 1, 2020

Pankaj Kumar Parekh, former chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and diamond specialist, received the 'Order of Merit of the Italian Republic' at a ceremony in Kolkata.

 
On December 28, the Consul General of Italy in Kolkata, Damiano Francovigh, presented Parekh with the Italian Order of Merit at the Italian Consulate, the GJEPC announced on its website.

The award was conferred on Parekh by the President of Italy in appreciation of his efforts towards enhancing trade between India and Italy, and the ceremony saw an audience of celebrities, bureaucrats, and industry leaders.

“The president has granted this Order for Mr Parekh's esteemed contribution in making friendship between Italy and India that has strengthened the bilateral economic relationship,” read the Italian president’s official statement. The Italian Order of Merit was founded in 1951 by the second president of the Italian Republic, V.J. Nowadin. 
 
Parekh also holds posts in a number of industry bodies, including the India Bullion And Jewellers Association and the SSBC, and has been the chairman of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Eastern Region, since 2004.

Parekh was presented with an award by the Diamond Dealers Club in New York in 2014, to honour the first India Diamond Week in the city.